' o w o ^ 



o " " 



THE HELM, 

THE S¥ORD, AND THE CEOSS: 

A LIFE 1:TAEEATIYE. 
BY ALFEED M. LOERAIN, 

OF THE CIN'CIiflTATI CO^TFEREi^rCE. 



CINCINNATI: 

PUBLISHED BY POE & HITCHCOCK; 



E. P. 



THOXPSOX, PRI2TTER. 
1862. 




Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, 
BY POE & HITCHCOCK, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for tho 
Southern District of Ohio. 



LC Control Number 




tinp96 029193 



OOInTTEI^TS. 

— o- 

PAGE, 

INTRODUCTION 7 

I. 

PARENTAGE 11 

II. 

CHILDHOOD 25 

III. 

SEA-LIFE 50 

IV. 

VOYAGE UP THE NORTH SEA 69 

V. 

STORMS AND SHORT ALLOWANCE 80 

VI. 

SECOND MATE— PRIVATEERING... 89 

VII. 

SOLDIER-LIFE 98 

VIII. 

SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS 116 

3 



CONTENTS. 



IX. 

PAGE. 

THE SEQUEL AT FORT MEIGS 138 

X. 

ENEMY PURSUED— DISCHARGED— HOME 149 

XI. 

THE CAPTURED BUGLE 165 

XII. 

RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE— LORENZO DOW 170 

XIII. 

CAMP MEETING— DAWNING OF LIGHT 180 

XIV. 

NEW ORLEANS— FIRST SERMON 188 

XV. 

LAND-OFFICE RECEIVER— DIVERS LABORS 197 

XVI. 

LICENSED TO PREACH— LIFE IN NEW ORLEANS 207 

XVII. 

LEAVE NEW ORLEANS — SCHOOL-TEACHING — CAMP 
MEETING 220 

XVIII. 

SETTLE IN XENIA— THE MINISTRY , 234 

XIX. 

ITINERANT LIFE— COLUMBUS CIRCUIT 244 



CONTENTS, 5 
XX. 

PAGE. 

FIRST COXFEREXCE— BRUSH CREEK CIRCUIT 264 

XXI. 

MIAMI AND MAD RIVER CIRCUITS 283 

XXII. 

ZANESVILLE CIRCUIT 299 

XXIII. 

DELAWARE CIRCUIT 305 

XXIV. 

MOUNT VERNON CIRCUIT 319 

XXV. 

UNION AND MADISONVILLE CIRCUITS 329 

XXVI. 

WEST UNION CIRCUIT 340 

XXVII. 

FRANKLINTON AND CIRCLEVILLE CIRCUITS 353 

XXVIII. 

URBANA STATION 364 

XXIX. 

HAMILTON STATION— MONROE CIRCUIT 371 

XXX. 

PUTNAM STATION 380 

XXXI. 

ASBURY CIRCUIT— HARMAR STATION 387 



6 



CONTENTS. 



XXXII. 

PAGE. 

FULTON STATION— GENERAL CONFERENCE 395 

XXXIII. 

BETHEL CAUSE 408 

XXXIV. 

COLLEGE AGENCY— MILFORD AND RATA VIA CIRCUITS... 423 

XXXV. 

MISCELLANEOUS WORK 441 



I 



II^TEODUOTIOIT. 



I HAVE frequently been requested by minist-erial 
brethren to write my life ; but I felt so unworthy^ 
in the midst of so many pious and useful men 
around me^ that I was contented with my name to 
be left written on the sandy shore of time, where a 
few succeeding waves might soon wash it away 
from the view of mortals. It is comparatively 
easy to write the life of another. And some 
authors will, unconscious of wrong, clothe their 
subjects in almost angelic vestments, so that the 
youthful reader almost despairs of a faint imita- 
tion of the character. Perhaps there are few of 
the illustrious dead who would be wilhng to 
indorse their biographies. But for one to write 
his own life — is the tug. Several times, even to 
the close of my manuscript, I have been tempted 

to throw the whole batch into the fire. Certain it 

7 



8 INTEODUCTION. 

is, that nothing less than the request of my Con- 
ference could have induced me to undertake it. 

There is another matter of which we would ad- 
vise our readers; and that is, our labors were not 
laid in the pioneer strata — amid Indian onslaughts 
and huntsmen's adventures. Some of our oldest 
preachers, who have written their autobiographies, 
have been able to mingle very exciting matters— 
^^part of which they saw, and part of which they 
were." We belong to a class a little subsequent. 
True, we have labored where thrilling traditions are 
cherished and recited. But they are traditions; 
and if they are not infected with accumulation, 
in descending to the third generation, they have 
been remarkably preserved from a great family 
disease. We do not wish to propagate any thing 
but what we know to be truth. 

We have looked, at the beginning, at the 
many circuits and stations we have occupied, and 
we saw that we could not do any thing like 
justice in giving the Church history of each, with 
all the thrilling incidents, and private, extraordi- 
nary conversions; so we were led to take only a 
general view of each—and soon found we had to 
be more and more sparing in our remarks. And 



INTRODUCTION. 9 

this abiding fear of swelling our work beyond all 
reasonable bounds has restrained our pen through- 
out. A close-written history of our fields of labor 
would form of itself a very large volume. 

We have also excluded chapters, with all unnec- 
essary head-dressing, which can answer, as far as 
♦ we can see, no end but to make a large volume 
out of a little matter. Our difficulty is too much 
matter; and we have, perhaps, lessened the inter- 
est of the work by withdrawing much of the orig- 
inal matter from the manuscript. The time has 
come for our people to distinguish the comparative 
value of a large book with much waste paper, and 
a smaller book with one-third more matter. For 
the same reason we have avoided giving a hst of 
all the appointments on a circuit — appointments 
which have long since been altered or deranged, 
so that the mere record of their names will Jeave 
but little satisfaction to any one. And, although 
we recollect with lively gratitude many noble men 
and women — who have laid us under lasting obli- 
gations, which we will remember, world without 
end — yet in a Christian Church, where we have 
met with so many of this stamp, it would swell 
our book beyond measure only to pay them a 



10 



INTEODUCTION. 



passing compliment. It is also true that^ among 
so many — and how can it be otherwise? — we have 
met with some of the meanest of the mean. 

We heard brother Finley advise the rowdies at 
a camp meeting not to meddle with the Meth- 
odists, on the score of their being non-resistant. 

Because/' said he, "they have been converted ^ 
from all classes; and, if the devil should happen 
to get out of you into them, they will backshde, 
and half kill you. There is no greater visible 
devil on earth than a backslidden Methodist." 
But we have left all these to their own master — 
sincerely praying, the Lord have mercy upon 
them! Some of these, like pet bears, may be 
recovered out of the snare of the devil, and stand 
among God's elect. And the Lord forbid that we 
should be found reviling them, as we also are but 
flesh and blood, and need greatly the mercy of 
the Lord. 



THE HELM, THE SWORD, AM) THE CROSS. 



I. 

PARENTAGE. 

BiOGEAPHiES generally — and we think properly — 
begin with the homestead. My honored father was 
a descendant of a pious family of the Huguenots, 
who were so fortunate as to escape from their 
father-land to England at the revocation of the 
edict of iSTantes. Family tradition runs the geneal- 
ogy to an honorable length beyond; but we are 
satisfied in stopping in an atmosphere decidedly 
pure. Like God's people of old, ^'thej chose 
rather to suffer affliction with the children of the 
Lord, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a sea- 
son." In my very childhood I was awed by the 
solemn and earnest manner in which my father con- 
ducted family worship. Readers will, no doubt, 
smile at his son saying he was a man of singular 
morality, chastity, and integrity. Many years after 
his death, and when we had removed to Ohio, a 
Quaker, in passing the home of my mother, caught 



12 



THE HELM. 



a siglit of my father's portrait, and, stopping, lie 
placed his hands on both sides of the door, gazed 
a few moments on the picture, and exclaimed: 

Surely, it is my old friend, Thomas Lorrain ! Is 
thee his widow?" '^I am." ^^Well, I did all my 
trading at his store for years; and if there ever 
was a man of pure uprightness and honesty, thy 
husband was the man." 

My mother, on the maternal side, was of a 
Roman Catholic family. Her father adhered to 
the Church of England. "When a child she some- 
times attended church with her father, and some- 
times with her mother. So she had the benefit of 
two ecclesiastical teats; but, according to her own 
account, found dry nursing at both. She was, 
however, baptized in the Eoman Church. Its 
splendid ornaments, romantic tales of saints and 
miracles, and the apparent austerity of its priests, 
gave her the impression that it was the better Church 
of the two. Indeed, such was the religious condi- 
tion of Maryland in that day, it was hard to tell 
where the ark of God rested. When she was about 
seven years old, her faith in Eoman legends and 
relics was shaken to its foundation by the following 
circumstance : She had two maiden aunts who were 
extremely devout, in their way. They wore, sus- 
pended from their necks, amulets, which, they told 
her, contained pieces of the coat which the Savior 
had worn previous to his crucifixion. She felt a 
dread veneration for those precious relics, and 



PAEENTAaE. 13 

longed for a closer inspection. Her aunts, being 
invited to a party on a certain occasion, carelessly 
left their religious charms on their toilet. My 
mother, seizing on this as her only opportunity, 
conveyed them up into a garret, and, ripping open 
one, found a piece of fine broadcloth, apparently 
new, and of modern texture. But her curiosity 
stopped not here. She opened the other cushion, 
and found a piece of like quality, but of a very dif- 
ferent color. She had relied too confidently on her 
skill with the needle, and the culprit was arraigned. 
She acknowledged the outrage, but made a severe 
attack on their blind superstition and credulity, 
and the ladies looked at each other as if con- 
founded. 

When she was about nine years of age, she read 
in her Testament, ^^Te shall be hated of all men 
for my sake;" and, Blessed are ye when men shall 
revile you, and speak all manner of evil of you," 
etc. These words were addressed to Christ's disci- 
ples; and the question here arose. Has he any 
disciples now in the world? Surely not in Mary- 
land. The Eoman Catholics are generally rich, and 
highly honored by their dependents and the poor 
around; and the Church of England is not less 
honored. Her conclusion was, if there were any 
true Christians about, she had not seen or heard 
of them. But by and by an alarm was sounded 
through the land that the Methodist preachers 
were coming, spreading most blasphemous doc- 



14 



THE HELM. 



trines, dividing families, corrupting the young and 
ignorant, and, under great pretended sanctity, 
indulging in secret and licentious meetings. The 
Roman Catholics said they were Antichrist — as 
glad to get rid of the suspicion that had been 
thrown on their own escutcheon, as John Gilpin's 
wife's horses were to ^'miss the lumbering of the 
wheels." The Quakers were charitable enough to 
say, ''But we hear that they have turned many 
notorious sinners into good citizens. Who knows 
but that they may be to us as the Gibeonites were 
to Israel — hewers of wood and drawers of water? 
And they may draw out of the quarry many rough 
stones, that may receive a polish that will fit them 
for the interior and spiritual temple." They are 
''wolves in sheep clothing," said the Churchmen — 
^'Lo Here's and Lo There's — who will, if possible, 
deceive God's own elect." But what was their con- 
sternation when a bomb was dropped in their midst, 
by the announcement that a Methodist minister 
would preach to them on a certain day— (rod will- 
ing ! This was the invariable form of an appoint- 
ment in those days — so that there might be no 
after-claps in case of uncontrollable disappointment; 
and they learned it of St. James. On the day 
appointed, my grandmother sallied out alone, as the 
scout for the whole family. When she returned all 
were anxious to hear the decision. ''Well," said 
she, in a very pleasant mood, '^he was zealous and 
earnest, and I had no fault to find of him, except 



PAEENTAQE. 



15 



tie ran down all innocent amusements — sucli as 
dancing, card-playing, etc." My mother could hold 
in no longer. '^The very people of whom the Savior 
said, 'They should speak all manner of evil — 
falsely!'" My mother was permitted to attend the 
next appointment. A plain and solemn man stood 
up, and took for his text — ^'The day of the Lord is 
near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the 
voice of the day of the Lord; the mighty man shall 
cry there bitterly," etc. Every word, look, and mo- 
tion of the minister deeply impressed her. She said 
within herself, ''This talk is more like the language 
of the New Testament than any I have ever heard." 
She was deeply convicted. 

As she returned home, across the field, she heard 
a voice behind her — "Miss Betsey!" It was the 
voice of a colored man, who lived in the town. 
''Miss Betsey, did you ever hear a man talk like 
that man? He used some high w^ords, and I may 
not have understood him, and I thought you might 
explain his discourse. I understood him that we 
must be born over, get new hearts, and that we 
might know our sins to be forgiven." Here my 
mother took up the text, and recapitulated the whole 
sermon, while big tears rolled down the negro's face. 
Another arrow was driven home — the exhortation 
of our Savior fulfilled — "Let him that heareth say 
come." The carrying out this was a great auxiliary 
to the ministry in that day. Preachers were few, 
and could not half supply the country. People 



16 



THE HELM. 



would come to town or market, hear a Methodist 
preach, get under great concern, and when they 
returned home, as soon as it was known that they 
had heard a real Methodist, many would come and 
say, '^Do tell us about their doctrine/' Their doc- 
trine is the doctrine of the Bible. The man said 
we were all sinners; that we might often promise 
to do better in our own strength; but all our prom.- 
ises and solemn vows were like ropes of sand — no 
sooner made than broken.'' '^That is certainly true. 
No man of common-sense will say that he is not a 
sinner. Well, what then?" 

'^He said that Hhe soul that sinneth, it shall die. 
If we die in our sins, hell will be our portion for- 
ever and ever.' He was no ways mealy-mouthed." 

"That seems reasonable; but how can we help it?" 

"He added — God had compassion on us, and gave 
up his Son to die for us, and to lay a broad platform 
of mercy on which he may be just, honor his law, 
and pardon penitent sinners, who believe. If we be- 
lieve heartily and sincerely Grod will forgive us our 
sins, and give us an evidence of our acceptance. And 
this, by the grace of Grod, is what I am seeking for." 

"But how do you intend to seek for this faith?" 

"The preacher said, in the use of the means of 
grace — reading the Word of God, occasional fasting, 
watching over our hearts, and against our spiritual 
enemies, earnest prayer; then as God gives us grace, 
ceasing to do evil, and learning to do well." 

"The Lord knows it is high time for us all to be 



PARENTAGE. 



17 



doing better. Will you not hold prayer meetings in 
your house, and take some lead in this matter?" 

^^Yes, if there are any among you who fear God, 
and are determined to flee the wrath to come, and 
will join me in prayer, we will have meetings, and 
if the Lord bless us, we will try to get a preacher 
to help us." This was the way that the work 
enlarged. Those who heard said, ^^Come." And 
great was the number of believers that was raised 
up in Maryland. My mother did not join the 
Church at that time, but she had gained much. 
The Eoman errors which had been so deeply im- 
pressed on her tender childhood were obliterated. 
She learned that the kingdom of God was not meat 
or drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the 
Holy Ghost; and that God had still a people on 
earth. She studied the Word of God, attended the 
means of grace, and prayed much; and for two or 
three years endured almost continuous conviction. 

Before she had passed her teens she yielded, and 
joined the Church, with a fixed purpose to use all 
her ordained and prudential means of grace in seek- 
ing full salvation. She retired to an upper room, 
and spent nearly two days in transforming her fash- 
ionable wardrobe, and in prayer. In this she was 
opposed by those whom she loved most tenderly. But 
her heart was fixed. We have often heard her say 
since, that without calling into question the religion 
of others, this with her was a necessity. The Spirit 
of God so clearly wrote this duty on her truly- 



18 



THE HELM. 



awakened heart tliat non-compliance would have 
been nothing else but obstinate rebellion. The 
magnitude of the cross which she lifted can scarcely 
be conceived of by the young members of the 
Church in this day. It was an irreligious day. 
Her relatives and associates moved in the highest 
circle of Annapolis. Dancing, card-playing, and 
fashionable parties were all considered very innocent 
amusements. Extravagance of dress had no moral 
boundaries. On the other hand, the Methodist 
usages, in regard to external bearing, might have 
been like the negro's tree — so perpendicular that it 
leaned a 'beetle the other way" — with this advant- 
age, it was on virtue's side. Behold her, then, pass- 
ing through their shining ranks arrayed in what 
we now call Quaker plainness, and instead of a high 
head-dress, and powdered hair, over an enormous 
cushion, a simple cap, unruffled and unadorned. 
Jewelry was out of the question. While playing 
the last game at cards which she ever played, a 
splendid finger-ring, without any known natural 
cause, snapped and flew on the table. Yet old men 
have told us that this novel plainness had peculiar 
attractions; and that a great trouble with the 
Church was to prevent irreligious young men run- 
ning off their girls into unequal matrimony. It is 
an. underground sentiment in the bosom of every 
sensible man, that 

"Loveliness 
Needs not the foreign aid of ornament, 
But is when unadorned adorned the most." 



PARENTAaE. 



19 



Otherwise I could not have claimed a father of un- 
usual intelligence and classical polish. 

My mother was particularly opposed by her step- 
father. More than once he threatened to close his 
door upon her if she attended the Methodist meet- 
ings. But undismayed she attended to every duty. 
After her marriage, when lying upon his death-bed 
full of penitence and contrition, he desired prayer. 
When asked who should be sent for, he answered, 
''Send for Betsey and her husband. If God has 
any true children on earth, they are. They are 
tried, faithful, and chosen." And she had the holy 
triumph of seeing her greatest opposer buried in 
hope of eternal life. All her oppositions would have 
been lighter if she had only enjoyed an evidence of 
her acceptance. This she earnestly sought ; and one 
day, while much engaged in her retirement, she 
received an overwhelming manifestation of the 
power of God, and entered into the enjoyment of a 
spiritual life. We have been thus particular in 
merely extracting from her written experience, 
because her case was similar to hundreds of the 
children of the ancient Catholic families of Marv- 
land, who found a rest in the Methodist Church — 
that blessed asylum for all who are oppressed of the 
devil. My converted mother was the little leaven 
that leavened nearly the whole family. 

This pious young lady was subsequently my 
mother. She raised four enterprising sons, and four 
lovely daughters. In the last years of her widow- 



20 



THE HELM. 



hood she was with me in my itinerant movements, 
and counseled me, and prayed for me. She died in 
great peace in the parsonage on Madison ville circuit. 
"When near her end I endeavored to console her 
with the idea of her speedy reunion with her 
mother, whom she had loved with deathless affec- 
tion. She looked up with great astonishment, and 
said, ''Why, my son, what straitened views you 
have of the coming glory! True, I shall see my 
mother and all my pious friends deceased; but 0, I 
shall see much more than this — I shall see my 
beloved Savior, who died upon the cross for me. 0 
Alfred, my son, Alfred, 

'Preacli him to all, and cry in death, 
Behold, behold the Lamb!'" 

I have never heard that line read or sung since 
without a peculiar touch. And the idea of Jesus 
being the all-absorbing view of the dying saint has 
ever since been deeply sunken in my theology. 
Brother Barrett, of precious memory, once gave me 
a beautiful illustration of this doctrine in the rela- 
tion of a dream which he once had. 

''Brother," said he, "if you can have patience to 
hear the recital, I will relate a dream which I had 
many years since. Indeed, I have always been at 
a loss what to call it — whether a dream, vision, or 
trance — for it was certainly distinct from all my 
mental exercises, before or since, sleeping or awake. 
In the morning of my ministry, my mind was 



PAEENTAGE. 



21 



greatly harassed in regard to the Divine crjJl, as 
is quite common, you know^ with preachers. Hav- 
ing gone through with a string of discouraging ap- 
pointmentS; without perceiving any immediate fruity 
and being greatly depressed with the most hum- 
bling views of my own inefficiency, I concluded to 
wind up my traveling career, at leasts and retire. 
I had, however, an evening appointment at a pri- 
vate house, where I had not yet been, and concluded 
it should be my last. I was late in reaching the 
place, and commenced the services immediately. 
When the congregation had retired, I felt so ex- 
hausted in body and afflicted in mind, that I Avished 
to sleep. The brother pointed me to the room which 
was prepared for me, and I retired without a candle. 
As soon as my tired head was laid upon the pillow, 
it seemed as if the heavy hand of Death was sud- 
denly laid upon me. I never expect in the final sep- 
aration of mv soul and bodv — bv whatever means — 
to experience more physical anguish than was en- 
dured on that occasion. The whole body of vitality 
and consciousness appeared to be rapidly withdi'aw- 
ing fi'om all my extremities and members, and con- 
centrating their forces in my breast. Thence they 
ascended into my throat. One more agonizing 
spasm and gasp, and my unharnessed spirit was 
calmly gazing on the pale body Avhich it had left. 
There seemed to be nothing peculiar in the light 
that vras about me, but matter and things were 
as clear and indisputable in my perception as or- 



22 



THE HELM. 



dinary noonday scenery. The next thing that ar- 
rested my attention for a moment were certain odd- 
ities which were peculiar to the room in which 
I had lodged, and which I had not seen in the 
evening because of the darkness. Particularly did 
I notice some grotesque figures which had been 
drawn on the w^all by children, or those who were 
as inexperienced in the fine arts as they. In the 
next moment the room w^ith all its furniture was 
no more, and my whole mind was riveted on a per- 
son who held a milk-white horse, and who com- 
manded me to mount and follow. As we started, 
I looked back, and saw the farm-house with all its 
appurtenances, nothing altered in any respect, but 
every thing wore the appearance and impress of re- 
ality. For several miles we passed through a coun- 
try of commonplace scenery — such as I had been 
familiar with for several days. 

'^The roads were sometimes good, sometimes mid- 
dling, sometimes very bad; but in their general 
aspect they got better and better as we advanced. 
By and by the air became more balmy — the land- 
scape more serenely sweet. Extraordinary prospects 
were scattered here and there; groves and shrub- 
bery of unearthly beauty and texture would occa- 
sionally appear, till at last we seemed to be rang- 
ing a very paradise on earth. As we ascended a 
gentle rise, my guide bade me turn to the right. 
I turned, and beheld a stupendous wall of rich, 
transparent, and precious stones, indescribably va- 



• 



PAEENTAGE. 



23 



negated by colors, lights, and shades. And Avhile 
I gazed, its wide and pearly portals slowly swung 
with a noiseless welcome, and w^e entered in. Xow 
the consciousness overwhelmed me that this was not 
an earthly but a heavenly paradise. I can no more 
describe the celestial scenerv than I can the unut- 
terable ecstasy that at once possessed my soul. I 
must give you, brother, the naked narrative. The 
embellishments lie on the other side of the river. 
We traveled on a celestial highway, walled with 
vines, flowers, and deathless verdure, such as I 
thought Eden never knew, till we came to the 
head of a spacious, and apparently endless avenue. 
Far in the distance stood the dazzling throne. 
Well might a prophetic sojourner on earth say, 
^ high and lifted up J And then the train — the 
millions of holy, happy ones, who flowered all the 
plain ! The aromatic air, the sweet and mellow 
music and alleluiahs wafted through all the bright 
regions on high, I may only mention; conceive you 
the glory if you can. My soul for once drank it 
in, in rich and generous draughts. In all this blaze 
of light my mind particularized some things. The 
throne seemed to be sustained by seven pedestals 
of transcendent beauty, receding as they rose one 
above another, so as to present spacious platforms. 
These, with the exception of a space in the center, 
were filled Avith happy spirits. When nearing this 
glory, my guide commanded me to dismount and 
walk. As I put my foot on the first step looking 



24 



THE HELM. 



to the right, I saw a younger brother who had 
lately died in the hope of eternal life. As soon 
as our eyes met, we were locked in each other's 
arms; and he exclaimed, ^My brother, 0, my 
brother! and so soon!' Eelations and Christian 
brethren crowded around, and I thought I had 
scaled the summit-level of all glory, and was ready 
to ask, ^Can heaven give me more?' but just then 
I glanced my eyes upward, and saw Jesus ! Brother, 
relations, all heaven were dropped like so many 
playthings, and on the upper platform I was pros- 
trated before my Savior, and Christ was all, and in 
all." We pursue not the dream beyond its illus- 
tration, although it gave to the ministry of our 
brother a new tone. ^^I believe," said he, ^Hhe 
highest joy of heaven is Jesus Christ." "We indorse 
this, especially as it was the doctrine of the in- 
spired apostles. St. Paul says, ^^To be dissolved 
and to be with Christ is far better'' — better than 
all on earth, all in heaven. When St. Stephen was 
yielding up, he called not father or mother, brother 
or sister, but Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" And 
I enjoy the continuous hope that my mother is 
with Christ in paradise. If Christ is the brightest 
bliss of heaven, how necessary it is that we should 
be conformed to his likeness here, that we may see 
him as he is, and love the appearing of the Lord. 
May the Lord conform me — the sinner me — to his 
likeness, that I may enjoy the highest bliss of 
heaven ! 



CHILDHOOD. 



25 



II. 

CHILDHOOD. 

One can not lightly pass over the period of 
childhood in reviewing his life. An inconsiderable 
impediment near the fountain may give direction to 
the sweeping river. Early childhood! Some say 
this is the happiest part of human life. This^ we 
think, is questionable. There are some things 
vastly pleasant to our memory in overhauling the 
events and circumstances of childhood — the tender 
care of our parents, the social circle of the family, 
the absence of anxious care in regard to our pro- 
vision and defense, and a thousand nameless com- 
forts with that state inseparable — that will be 
sacredly imbedded in our memory forever. But 
we easily dismiss from our minds the trials and 
afflictions, mental, spiritual, and physical, that fol- 
low^ed us almost from the cradle; the disappointed 
hopes, and rudely-crushed toys, which gave us 
keener anguish at the time than the loss of a ship 
would give a merchant. We have forgotten the 
impatience of wholesome restraint, the incessant 
longing for manhood and liberty, which appeared 
to be ages distant — and, not the least, the drudgery 
of the schools, and study, of w^hich we could not 



26 



THE HELM. 



compreliend the end — creeping like snails unwill- 
ingly to school." Still the state of childhood is 
interesting. The Lord has made it so. It is a 
doctrine full of grace and comfort to Christian 
parents, that infancy is a state of justification; and, 
if death interposes, the child is assuredly taken 
from the evil to come; for no one can arrive at 
maturity without being constrained to exclaim, 

" Crosses, in number, measure, weiglit, 
Were written, Lord, for me." 

But such is the amazing love with which parental 
affection twines around the stricken one, that the 
first outgushings of sorrow overtop all these divine 
cordials which God administers to us. Indeed, we 
dare not say that they were intended for applica- 
tion till the first showers of parental sorrow have 
sanctified the graves of the little ones. Our Lord 
is a sympathizing power; and the Gospel does not 
harden, but abundantly refines, the higher instincts 
of our nature. It seems to us like a mighty frigate 
standing down the stream of time, with a weeping 
world in convoy. When the tide has slackened, and 
the proper eddy is gained, she throws out her sig- 
nal to tack, and stem the stream, and through the 
silver trumpet is heard, Weep not for your dead 
as those who have no hope; for if we believe that 
Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which 
sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.'' 

A lady, an intimate acquaintance of my mother, 
had a little daughter that she almost idolized. She 



CHILDHOOD. 



27 



was suddenly taken away^ and the mother became 
inconsolable. She refused all nourishment^ and com- 
fort^ and her friends feared she would be destroyed 
with overmuch sorrow. One night she fell asleep, 
and thought an angelic messenger came to her, and, 
with a benign smile, said, Would you see your 
Martha?" The mother quickly replied, ^'0, above 
all things!" He said, ^^Then follow me." She fol- 
lowed him through a long passage, till he stopped 
and touched a spring: a large door flew open — the 
voice of merriment, revelry, and dancing broke 
upon her ear — the room was studded with lamps, 
chandeliers, and reflectors. The conductor pointing 
to a tall, fashionable yoimg lady, with a face flushed 
with dissipation, and who seemed to be the idol 
and leader of the giddy throng, he said, Behold 
thy Martha I" ^^0, no!" cried out the impassioned 
mother, ^' she never could have been that tawdry, 
sporting thing. I was bringing her up in the fear 
of the Lord, and training her up for heaven." ^^So 
you thought," said the mysterious stranger; ^^but 
every day she was gaining on your fondness, and 
you would have got blinder and blinder to her true 
interests, and you Avould have denied her nothing; 
and that would have been the result. But follow 
me." Presently he touched another spring, and 
wide and massive doors flew open, and all heaven 
was exposed to the enraptured mother. She heard 
the voice of harpers harping with their harps ; she 
saw the white- vested eld.ers around the throne ; and 



28 



THE HELM. 



far within the interior glory stood a blithe and 
agile form, crowned with glory, and with a harp in 
hand, joining in the new song. The conductor said, 
Behold thy Martha as she is!" The mother 
echoed back the celestial shout — the joy was more 
than earth could bear — the bed shook, the curtains 
trembled — the saint awoke in midnight darkness, 
exclaiming, ''Thy will be done, 0 God, on earth as 
in heaven! Yes," said she, '''taken from the evil 
to come/ " This she had often read. This had 
lately been breathed into her ears by sympathizing 
friends. But now she realized God's truth, and the 
truth set her free. When faith lays hold on the 
Lord's promise, it is a tower of strength. She 
arose next morning, washed her face, combed her 
hair, and went forth, with a smiling countenance, 
to help to fill up the measure of Christ's sufferings 
left behind. 

One of the heaviest blows my mother received 
was the death of her little daughter, Caroline. 
Indeed, the whole family staggered under the 
shock. She was a lovely child. The neighbors 
around held her to be a perfect sample of human 
beauty. She was very young, and I can not believe 
she had passed the line of infant justification — yet 
her end seemed to be a triumph. The disease was 
too rapid to reduce her; her eyes assumed an unu- 
sual luster, the fever tinged, her cheek with a higher 
flush — and a little before her death she awoke out 
of a sleep, and said to her mother with a happy 



CHILDHOOD. 



29 



smile, and her peculiar dimples fluttering as she 
spoke, ^'0; ma! I have seen such pretty things — 
prettier than I have ever seen ! 0^ how fine ! It 
made me feel so good!" ^^Well, my daughter, tell 
your mother about those pretty things." ^^No, no, 
ma, you must not know them; they would make 
you so sorry." ^^Why, child, how can any thing 
that is so pretty, and makes you so happy, make 
your mother sorry?" ^^Yes, you would cry — you 
would cry yourself almost to death." All the elo- 
quence of my mother — and that was not small — 
could not draw the secret from her; and she would 
still advert to it, with smiles, till her happy spirit 
passed away. All were under the impression that 
the things which made her so happy were closely 
connected with her death, and she knev/ that would 
almost break her mother's heart. 

Perhaps one may say, ^^What childish things to 
go into an autobiography!" True, they are child- 
ish; but remember, reader, that one-tenth of a 
man's life is childhood. And then remember that 
they can not find a place in a mere biography, 
because the author knows them not. And then 
only have patience, and we will begin to grow 
some. We were writing of infant justification. 
But those who live have to dofi* those bandages of 
Divine mercy, and enter into the world. 

"We have thought that personal sin, or conscious- 
ness of guilt, arises out of a collision of Divine light 
and human depravity. The child is a sinner by 



30 



THE HELM. 



nature^ indulges in passions and tempers that are 
sinful, but he is unconscious of the wrong. When 
light shines into the soul, so as to distinguish good 
from evil, the individual detects himself in evil 
practices flowing from his depraved nature; his 
heart condemns him, and God, who is greater than 
his heart, also condemns him. He is a sinner in an 
incipient degree at least. 

At what period this change of relation takes 
place, who can tell ? Sooner in some, perhaps, than 
in others; and sooner in all than men are willing, 
in general, to admit. We so judge, governed by 
our own experience. As far as my memory extends 
back, I recognized myself as a sinner. I can just 
remember that, when a disease was raging through 
the country, sweeping off scores of children, it 
struck me with great violence. Great were my 
convictions. My mother had carried me much to 
meetings. The ministers in that day w^ere very 
plain in describing the morning of the resurrection, 
and the judgment-day; and I was conscious of my 
sins* I feared God, feared the grave, feared what 
would follow. Ardent desires rose from my heart — 
call them prayers. All at once a sacred calm, a 
sweet tranquillity pervaded my mind. The fears of 
death, hell, and the grave vanished. I could think 
with calmness on the closing scene. I believe, if I 
had died then, I should have gone to heaven — not 
in virtue of infant justification, but as a sinner 
saved by grace. While I was lying in this condi- 



CHILDHOOD. 



31 



tion, my parents were preparing to move to a resi- 
dence in tlie suburbs. That day tliey had taken a 
hasty dinner in the room where I lay. Having 
been forbidden strong food for some time^ the flavor 
of fried ham came flowing delightfully on my sense, 
and when they withdrevv^ from the room I cau- 
tiously tottered to the table, and, seizing the largest 
slice in the dish, retreated to my bed, pulled the 
cover over my head, and feasted at my leisure. 
While eating, I felt the glow of returning health 
shooting to the very ends of my toes and fingers. 
Then I thought I would live, and not die. That 
evening I was carried to our new home. Yvhen I 
awoke in the morning the bright sun was shining, 
a multitude of birds singing in the trees around, 
and the brightness of my own mind was in unison 
w^ith the loveliness of the scenery without. This 
happy frame I did not long retain. 

Although ever wandering, yet there v\'as a large 
development of veneration within me. The elder 
children — brother and sister — seemed to recoo:nize 
this, and were willing to clothe me with ministerial 
honor. They would sometimes put to me very 
knotty questions in theology. At one time they 
said, ^^We have been talking religion, and we have 
been in a puzzle. You know God made man out 
of the dust of the earth; but we Avant to find out 
who made the Lord. What do you think, Alfred?'' 
Drawing myself up to my utmost dignity : ^' Yes, 
God made man out of the dust; and you may easily 



32 



THE HELM. 



see that, before he did that, he lay down, and rolled 
in the same dust, and made hisself." This brought 
out a screaming laugh, which offended me, for I 
could see no point to their merriment. This theory 
was as clear to my mind as my own creation. At 
another time they got into the habit of holding 
meetings. And, as the congregation was small, 
they determined to take a pet cat into the society; 
but, in order to do this, they must needs have her 
baptized. Again I was invested with power. We 
marched down to the branch, they teaching me a 
short formula. With all solemnity I took puss by 
the neck, and held her over the water, and said, ^^I 
baptize thee — " But the cat had other views; a 
dangerous scuffle ensued, and it is hardly necessary 
to say she gained the victory, threw up her bristles, 
straightened her tail, and rushed 8.way as if horri- 
fied at our profane proceedings. This might have 
been locked up in the cabinet of childhood-secrecy, 
but a young man who attended in the store, unseen 
by us, had witnessed the whole ceremony; and we 
had to bear the expense for years following. 

On one occasion I thought I would take a step or 
tw^o beyond the narrow line which had been pre- 
scribed. There was living in our town a young law- 
yer, who, notwithstanding he was so crippled that 
he had to walk with crutches, was a great repro- 
bate — most profane and vulgar. His wickedness 
w^as spoken of in all companies, and therefore I 
hated him. One day I was standing in our back 



CHILDHOOD. 



33 



porch and saw him hobbling up the steps of the ad- 
joining tenement. I looked down upon him and 
cursed him as a wicked cripple. In the same 
moment I felt myself clasped as in a vise. It was 
my father, who, unknov/n to me, was standing 
behind. He took me into the counting-room, and 
drawing out a fresh cowhide, it seemed to me that 
he would not stop till he had cut my legs off. It 
might seem incredible to some, while I add, that 
although a wicked sailor for several years, and 
afterward a wild soldier for twelve months, I have 
never cursed or swore, except lawfully, since that 
eventful day. I thought what an awful sin it must 
be to compel my father to punish me so. I never 
knew him to strike a servant with a cowhide; but 
he loved his son better than his servants. If my 
father had smiled at my smartness, and told it to 
every visitor, I would have, doubtless, gone on for 
quantity. He was as serious as the grave. I would 
not put him past smiling, when he made the report 
to my mother, if it was only at the crankness of my 
anathema. I believe in Solomon's blisters for chil- 
dren, in cases of necessity. On every Sabbath my 
mother gathered all the young ones together — white, 
yellow, and black — and catechised them thoroughly. 
We did not enjoy the advantages of the Sabbath 
school in that day. In the course of my ministry 
I have cherished that institution with peculiar care. 
But here let me say, if our Sunday school is to cost 
the abandonment of parental instruction, our loss 



34 



THE HELM. 



will be incalculable. The sweet seasons of maternal 
ministration have followed me through, every turn 
of life. 

It must not be supposed we were destitute of daily 
schools. We attended one of the best grammar 
schools, as they were called, where we gradually were 
led up through the rudim^ents of the Latin language. 
The doctrine was, we might be prepared for college, 
or if not, it would give us a better understanding 
of the English. The idea in that day and section 
was, that there was no arranged system of English 
grammar above the outlines that were given in some 
of our spelling-books, and that in letters almost 
microscopic. In process of time there came a 
Yankee, who published that he would teach the 
English in all its branches, and the English gram- 
mar thoroughly. This attracted many to his school. 
Our schoolmaster was a Scotch minister, and he 
taught school, and administered to the Episcopal 
Church for many years in that place. My boyish 
view of him was, that he was the most dignified 
and awful personage in the world. He was strict 
in morality; but it was not considered inconsistent 
by the majority of the people for him to attend the 
balls, and occasionally the theaters. He had a black 
man named Moses, whose highest ambition was to 
be a fac-simile of his master. As he had all his 
cast-off suits, it was not very difficult to toe the 
line. The parson was a bachelor, and as he did 
not wish to get up in the morning before the fire 



CHILDHOOD. 



35 



was made, he let Moses lock him up every night, 
and take the key to the kitchen, which Avas in 
range of the front of the house, and about a 
hundred yards off. Sometimes Moses indulged in a 
morning nap. The parson would hoist his window, 
and put his head out and cry, Marses ! 0 Marses ! 
The devil's in him. God forgive me!" Whenever 
he got out of temper, or spoke as he thought unad- 
visedly, he would wind up with the amend, ^^God 
forgive mef' He used to keep his head pomatumed 
and powdered, and the locks on his forehead and 
temples rolled up in yellow paper all the week. 
He removed the paper on the Sabbath, and a hand- 
somie roll of hair half surrounded his face. Although 
he had considerable Scotch brogue, he was the best 
reader I ever heard. In after years he married. 
Once when very ill he sent a written request for 
the Methodist Church to pray for him, when some 
leading members of the Presbyterian Church won- 
dered why he had not sent a similar request to 
them; he said he did not intend to hurt their feel- 
ings, but the Methodists were nearer of kin, and he 
had great confidence in their prayers. Under the 
superintendence of the pious Bishop Moore he be- 
came more and more pious; lived till he was over 
ninety years of age; and Ave trust he is noAV in 
heaven. My father, being a classical man himself, 
intended to give a polished education to his children. 
My oldest brother Avas transferred from this school 
to Washington College, Avhere, in due time, he hon- 



36 



THE HELM. 



orably graduated. We were following suit, when, 
as we will presently show, the sun of our family 
prosperity went down. 

My father moved his family from Maryland while 
I was an infant, and settled in Petersburg, in Vir- 
ginia. I loved Petersburg in childhood — I love it 
still. Sweet in my memory are my morning walks 
on the banks of the meandering Appomattox. I 
loved to sit on the rocky cliffs, where honeysuckles 
creep and woodbines flaunt, listening to the mur- 
murings of the falls- — music that might lull to sleep, 
even the head that wears a crown. I have traveled 
far and near, on field and flood, but never saw any 
population so beautiful — male and female — as the 
natives of that town, as then impressed on my 
heart. About the breaking out of the Southern 
rebellion I read in a paper, that a professed minis- 
ter of God undertook to rail against the Union in a 
congregation in that town, when some of the elders 
retired; this made him more furious, when the con- 
gregation began to move, and as some passed out, 
they paused on the threshold, and looking indignantly 
back, said, Treason! treason!" I laid the paper 
down and wept, and thought, '^0, Petersburg! patri- 
otic Petersburg, surely it will take an iron cable to 
drag thee from the Union!" My father was among 
the first merchants who opened stores — wholesale 
and retail — in that town, and many of the country 
merchants of North Carolina were his customers; 
his business was fair and flourishing, and we were 



CHILDHOOD. 



37 



a happy family. We learned by tradition that 
Petersburg had been a wicked place^ but was 
getting better. 

In my remembrance it had several special attrac- 
tions. 1. The Spring and Fall races. All respect- 
able ladies, who were not religious, attended in 
their chariots, often making a procession about a 
mile in length; and they engaged in all the jockey- 
talk and excitement of the turf — betting on the 
black gelding or Wilkin's gray. 2. Periodical balls 
through the AVinter were occasions of great social 
glee, and considered indispensable to health, al- 
though some of the old doctors occasionally whis- 
pered that they cost annually two or three human 
sacrifices. 3. Gander-pulling and cock-fighting were 
precious amusements of the gentlemen — between 
meals. 4. Feasting on maple biscuit and wine at 
funerals. This was a custom that could not be dis- 
pensed with without drawing down heavy reflections 
on the mourners. 

The Methodist preacher came along, and he 
doubtless felt as Paul did when he first came to 
Athens. He began with the funerals. After w^ind- 
ing up their feelings to extreme tension, he would 
turn his eyes to the sideboard, and begin to descant 
on the decanter and cake, showing how inappropri- 
ate they were to the house of mourning, and he 
would beg them, if they saw fit to honor him with 
the solemn duty of preaching over their friends, 
that they would abandon the revolting practice. 



38 



THE HELM. 



This sore was soon healed. He was a doctor of the 
healing, and not of the dissecting practice. 

As for the ball, the race, and other iniquitous 
frolics, the Methodist preacher, in succession, con- 
sidered them as anvils on which the drumsticks 
ecclesiastical might play perpetually. The attend- 
ance on the races declined annually, till a decent 
woman could not be found on the ground. The 
ladies anchored their attractions at home, and their 
lords were kept to their moorings, and they found 
it profitable for this life at least. The balls became 
few and far between, and the gander-pulling sunk 
-into oblivion with a hiss; as for the cock-fighting, 
it fell into the hands of the negroes. It was not 
unusual to see a darkey, on Sabbath morn, passing 
with hasty strides through the streets, with some- 
thing wrapped up in a striped cotton handkerchief, 
under his arm. On drawing nigh might be seen 
two little bright eyes, under a splendid comb, stick- 
ing out at one end, and shining spurs at the other; 
and Sambo's face would be illuminated with an 
arch smile, as much as to say, You all know it is 
a rooster, and white folks may come if they will 
behave." This reformation was accorded to evan- 
gelical preaching in the pulpit, and right-living in 
the Church, imperceptibly and gradually affecting 
public opinion. 

We can hardly hope that that community, during 
the last forty years, have gone on to perfection. 
Though our ministers preach the system of salva- 



OHILDHOOB. 



39 



tion in this day as clear as it was dispensed in the 
apostolic age, as we suppose, yet they do not keep 
up an unremitting fire on the devil and all his 
works, as they once did; nor is the discipline 
administered as scrupulously. We are not croak- 
ing. We know that circumstances have materially 
changed. The eaemy's batteries are closer masked, 
and his bullets are sugar-coated. In the progress 
of things fairs have been gotten up with the pro- 
fessed, and ma.y be sincere, purpose of improving 
agriculture, etc. Many good men have attended 
them for laudable purposes. Before they get back 
they see what they did not go to see^ — races as 
genuine as those which once cost professors their 
membership. They hear African ditties and conju- 
mingoes sung by feigned — and not very much 
feigned — negroes ; and sometimes they witness a stag- 
dance, and make their bow to the big woman of 
Ohio. But many are falling off by the force of com- 
mon-sense. They find, as it regards the inventions 
and machinery exhibited at the fair, their intrinsic 
merit is their highest premium, because it will in- 
troduce them to the factory or farm, where we may 
see their applications in all their practical excel- 
lency. As for the trained horses and fat cattle, it 
has been well discovered that the farms — if they 
have any — of those who have carried the prizes, 
present a dreary prospect at home — as dreary as 
the vision of Pharaoh, only reversed. In his dream 
the seven lean kine devoured the seven fat ones; in 



40 



THE HELM. 



the last case one fat calf eats up the whole planta- 
tion, and the owner is something leaner, notwith- 
standing the premium. The forced vegetables are 
almost poisonous, and a horse, who possesses more 
sense than we do — the discernment of invisibili- 
ties — would snort over them. So the inhabitants 
of a great city drank delicious draughts at their 
hydrants, and smacked their lips, for years; but 
when they overhauled their reservoir, they found it 
full of corruption and dead men's bones. 

It is necessary to this work that its readers 
should see my early surroundings. My home was 
in the heart of slavery; and this, I suppose, has 
given me a tender feeling for the African race; 
and this feeling abides with those in the free States 
who have been raised in the South. The African 
knows this, and when he comes among us to raise 
money to buy a wife or child, he knows where to 
go. This can not be otherwise. Parents in the 
South can not lay their fences so high as to sep- 
arate entirely the children of the two classes. We 
went chincapin hunting together, fishing together, 
in some branch which was dry for one-half of the 
year, and if we got three or four nibbles, we would 
fish till sundown. "When we got tired at noon, we 
would lie down on the bank, packed away like a 
layer of herrings. It is no wonder we caught their 
brogue. In after years, while I was preaching a 
funeral discourse, a strange minister who had been 
raised in Kentucky, came to the door, and on ac- 



CHILDHOOD. 



41 



count of the press^ stood Tvithout where he could 
not see me. He told me afterward that he had 
heard only a few sentences, when he said in him- 
self, ^^That fellow has cracked many a corn-dodger." 
But now let me say, that there Avas very little said 
about the institution, especially before children; yet, 
whether it was by intuition, or inspiration, or what 
not, I was, while a white-haired boy, bitterly op- 
posed to slavery. In the large towns, their condi- 
tion is — comparatively — comfortable. The slaves 
wear, in their turn, the clothes of their owners, and 
sometimes scarcely soiled. This is often econom- 
ical, and the masters escape the charge of their 
garments being motheaten. In a common family, 
there could be little saved by putting servants under 
a different regimen; so they eat the same food, 
tastefully culled, of course, but with this advant- 
age — ^^The nearer the bone, the sweeter the meat.'' 
Dainties are excepted. In some kitchens they oc- 
casionally live better than they do in the great 
house, because they sometimes add a 'possum, or 
fresh fish, or other rarities, that are overlooked by 
white folks. "We used sometimes to have high life 
below stairs. It was there that I first realized how 
a drunkard felt, by getting quite boosy on egg- 
nog, scalding hot. Still, as Sterne says, Disguise 
thyself as thou wilt, 0 slavery, still thou art a bit- 
ter draught!" Even in our town, we had occa- 
sional exhibitions of its uriiness. While a little 
boy, in passing by a lot that was highly fenced 



42 



THE HELM. 



with boards, I heard an unusual groaning within. 
My curiosity led me to hunt a hole, that I might 
see what was going on within. I saw a negro 
hoisted up, so that his feet swung clear of the 
ground, by a rope fastened to his wrists, and pass- 
ing over a kind of gallows. This was held by a 
fellow-servant, while a white man was peeling his 
back with a cowhide. The skin would sometimes 
be stripped off like ribbons. The tyrant would 
threaten to lay on in proportion to the noise he 
made, and continued the cruel chastisement till en- 
tirely exhausted. He then took down his victim, 
and by the forced assistance of the other slave, 
stretched him on the tail of a dray, with his face 
down, and brought from the kitchen a tin-cup of 
melted tallow and poured it on his wounds. This 
seemed to be the most excruciating part of the 
whole process. My young bosom was filled with 
indignation and wrath, supreme. In after years, 
while reading about Moses, when he saw an Egyp- 
tian smiting an Israelite, and where it is said, And 
he looked this way and that way, and when he saw 
that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and 
hid him in the sand," I thought I understood how 
Moses felt. When I saw this act of cruelty, I felt 
if I could secretly dispose of that scoundrel without 
exposing myself to the law, I would be doing God 
an acceptable service. 

But I might mention a case that came much 
nearer home than this. My father, for about fif- 



CHILDHOOD. 



43 



teen or hventy years^ hired almost a whole family 
of slaves. They were of sterling integrity^ and 
some of them religious. Aunt Milly, the matron 
of this colored family, w^as a dark mulatto, and a 
very pious Baptist. She had two sons besides her 
children in our famnly, Avho were blacksmiths. One 
of them came in one day apparently in great an- 
guish, and told his mother that his wife's master 
had sold her and the children to a Georgia negro- 
buyer, and that they would pass in the afternoon 
by our big gate, which was on the Carolina road. 
"When I heard this I became deeply moved, and re- 
solved in my mind to be there. AVhen I arrived, 
I found Aunt Milly and her son already there. 
They looked with painful suspense for some time 
down the road. Presently the sorrowful band was 
seen advancing with unwilling tread. Several men 
were handcuffed — two and two. The Avomen and 
children were not bound. As they came up. Will 
and his wife rushed into the last sad embrace. The 
little children grasped his pantaloons. The grand- 
mother's eves flashed like diamonds, from earth to 
heaven, from heaven to earth. Only two or three 
ox drops ran doAvn her cheeks — it was agony beyond 
tears. I alone Avas allowed this luxury, and I al- 
most doubled miyself down to the earth, and wept 
as if my little heart would burst. Many of our 
white acquaintances who knew the worth and sensi- 
bility of that colored family, sympathized with them. 
The negro-trader checked his horse awhile, and 



44 



THE HELM. 



seemed to respect this scene of hopeless sorrow, 
but after a while drove them on. The wife and 
children cast many a longing look behind. The 
husband stood like a marble monument of woe^ till 
a turn in the road separated husband and wife, 
parent and children forever. Many of our citizens 
used to feel deeply on such occasions, but they 
seemed to consider them as necessary outrages con- 
nected with an institution that appeared to be as 
firmly settled as the pillars of heaven. 

"We never felt a sense of comfortable security 
while living in that beautiful town. Sometimes re- 
ports of intended insurrections would send a thrill 
of fear through every family. One time a boy came 
up where we were playing near the school, with 
dismayed visage, and said, ^^Boys, as I was coming 
to school, a negro looked at me and said, 'Ah, my 
lad, you look white and rosy now, but in a few 
days your face will be as black as my hand.' 
Then we gathered up our playthings, and entering 
into serious squads, began to rehearse all the latest 
symptoms of an outbreak that we could drum up 
in our memory. When the school broke the intel- 
ligence was carried to every home. 

Sometimes reports would be spread which would 
be found utterly false. Still they would create un- 
easiness for the time being. The most formidable 
disturbance which we ever had was the meditated 
insurrection of Gabriel — General Gabriel, as some 
called him by way of derision. The plan was to 



CHILDHOOD. 



45 



commence at Kichmond^ in the most sleepy watch 
of the night; but there was to be a general uprising 
through the country. They were to station two 
men at the door of every house, fire the city in two 
places, and then raise the all-exciting cry — ^^jire! 
jiref' As the citizens would rush out with their 
fire-buckets, as they usually did in such alarms, 
they were to cut them down. E^ichmond taken, 
and being supplied with more eftective arms, they 
were to spread their devastations throughout the 
State. It was said that they intended to destroy 
also the colored women, and to supply their place 
with, white ladies. The leaders, in order to forestall 
any subsequent misunderstanding, had agreed on 
their future partners, chosen from among the most 
celebrated beauties of the land. Scythe-blades and 
reap-hooks were secretly converted into war instru- 
ments, and the blacksmiths in the country, who 
generally worked late in the night, had made a 
considerable number of pikes, which could in a few 
moments be attached to staffs. 

The secret was faithfully kept till the very eve 
of its intended accomplishment. There was a gen- 
tleman in the country, residing alone on his planta- 
tion. He had a boy who had been raised as a pet 
negro. This boy came into his chamber, and roused 
him up from his sleep. Master! master!" said he, 
^^I have brought your horse out, and fastened him 
to the gate. Arise and fly for your life!" 
. Why ? what the matter ?" 



46 



THE HELM. 



'^The negroes have been meeting several nights 
at their quarters. I have hung around, listening 
till I have found out that they intend this night to 
march to Richmond, and kill all the white people. 
Fly for your life, master!" 

He soon sprang on his horse, and fled. About 
this time a dismal cloud covered the heavens, send- 
ing forth almost incessant lightning. As he rode 
down the lane, by the bright flashes above he could 
see the negroes, in almost every field, converging 
toward the quarters. He arrived at the city, 
aroused up the authorities, and immediately the 
military were turned out, and the city under arms. 
The insurgents had not yet congregated, for they 
were waiting forces from the country; but squads 
of insurrectionists were arrested, and the pro- 
gramme fully exposed. In the mean time, the storm 
that had been threatening so long fell with awful 
devastation on the earth. Instead of raining it 
poured in mighty floods. In Petersburg, twenty- 
five miles off, the storm leveled or broke ofi" nearly 
all the shade-trees; an arch which ran under Bol- 
ingbrooke-street, which was high enough for a man 
to stand under, was insufficient to carry off" the 
flood, and it burst across the street. We supposed 
every family was up, for every house was lighted. 
I remember my father said, Betsey, God is in 
this storm, as horrible as it is — it is supernatural. 
Mark me! this storm is salvation." So it was, and 
so I have ever believed. God had mercy on white 



CHILDHOOLi, 



47 



and black. If the insurrection had commenced 
there might have been a great slaughter of the 
whites^ but it would have resulted in an awful 
destruction of the blacks; for the other States would 
have sent their desolating forces upon them. The 
country negroes were bending their way to the city 
when the storm broke loose^ but they found every 
branch with their bottoms overflowed. Here some 
said^ '^You can see plainly the hand of God is 
against us." Others charged them with cowardice^ 
and after having a general knock down and drag 
out/' it was— everv man to his cabin. For several 
days the gallows in B^ichmond was in constant serv- 
ice^ till the most humane said it is enough — stay 
your hands. Solomon^ the brother of Gabriel^ while 
standing under the gallows^, looked around on the 
multitude, and defiantly said, Well, you may hang 
Solomon, but let me tell you there are more Solo- 
mons in Old ^ Firginiay 

Gabriel could not be found; but a high reward 
was offered for him. It seems he had boarded one 
of the river crafts commanded by a colored man, 
and fled to Norfolk, with an intention to put to sea 
as soon as arrangements could be made. The vessel 
lay at the wdiarf. After being confined some days 
to his contracted berth, he thouoiit he would, in 
the twilight hour, put his head up the companion- 
way, and breathe for a while a purer air. A little 
black boy, who had been acquainted with him in 
Eichmond, in the innocence of his heart exclaimed: 



48 



THE HELM. 



''How-dy, Uncle Gabriel? when did you leave Eich- 
mond?" Fatal salutation! Some white men, who 
were standing by, rushed on board and seized him. 
His baggage was overhauled. He had a fine suit 
of uniform, splendid epaulets, and a costly sword. 
He was carried to Pvichmond, and thrown into 
prison. Some gentlemen, moved by curiosity, be- 
gan to catechise him, but drawing himself up with 
a magisterial air, he said, ^^I will answer no imper- 
tinent questions, but will answer at the bar of my 
country.'' Every thing that might be made harm- 
ful was taken from his cell, but he found a large, 
rusty, crooked nail. This he swallowed with an 
intention of avoiding the gallows, but it became 
immovably fixed in his throat, and in this condition 
he was hanged. Years after this I heard an old 
negro playing on a bandore a lengthy song descrip- 
tive of the raid of General Gabriel. On a slight 
hearing, it seemed to be a burlesque on the defeat; 
but there were some sentiments in pensive air that 
drew tears from the African eye. No foot of power 
can crush national songs — even if they are African. 
Many a time, while a boy, I have stopped to hear 
the darkies, while working on the roads, sing — 

" Billy Gilliam kill a nigger ; 

0, boys ! ye 'most done ? 
He knock him down, and den lie stomp kim; 

0, boys', ye 'most done? 
He drag kim down to Sandy Bottom ; 

0, boys! ye 'most done? 
And den ke swear ke never took kim; 

O. boys! ye 'most done?" 



CHILDHOOD. 49 

The relations of Billy Gilliam often had to drive 
their chariots under such serenading, and look as 
pleasant as they could. 

5 



60 



THE HELM. 



III. 
SEA-LIFE. 

My father, having dissolved partnership with a 
firm in Philadelphia, was advised by some of his 
best friends to form a connection with two French 
gentlemen, who were in a large grocery business. 
These gentlemen were brothers, and were as dis- 
tinct in their characters as any two men could be. 
Alexander, the elder, was very plain, and of an 
unusually-serious cast. He had emigrated with his 
father to the western wilds ; and one morning, when 
he was seated at the breakfast-table, an Indian 
chief stepped behind his father, and drove a toma- 
hawk into his skull. Alexander fled, and with 
much difficulty made his escape ; but it was said 
he never smiled again. Francis had been brought 
up in the fashions and amusements of France. He 
was light and frivolous, a dandy v/ho ran into the 
most ridiculous extreme of fashion. The business 
of the house Avas very promising. They sent a 
valuable cargo to France, and were looking for 
a rich return of merchandise. Francis was sent 
out as supercargo, and was charged to insure the 
goods. This he did not do — giving, afterward, the 
simple apology, that, as he was coming back in the 



S E A - L I F E . 



61 



ship, lie thought if the ship was lost he would be 
lost, and all would go together. This, however, 
was not the case. The ship Neptune, returning, as 
it was said, with the richest cargo which had left 
that season, sprung a bad leak. "With all hands 
employed at the pumps it still gained on them. 
When all hope had nearly fled, a sail hove in sight, 
but cruelly passed, and left her with all her signals 
of distress flying. Now they sank down in despair; 
the Protestants broke out in prayer, the Eoman 
Catholic ladies began to count their beads, kiss 
their crosses, and to call on the blessed Mary. 
There were many passengers. Just then another 
sail appeared; hope revived; the pumps were again 
manned. Those who came to the rescue had barelj^ 
time to transfer the crew and passengers, without 
baggage, Avhen the old Neptune went down. I well 
remember the announcement of this misfortune to 
my mother. Late one afternoon. Aunt Milly, whom 
we have already introduced as the matron of the 
kitchen, stood in the door, with shawl and bonnet 
on, and said : 

^^Mistiss, I thought I would step in and ask you 
if you had heard any thing about this bad news." 

''What bad news, Milly? 0, do tell me! speak 
quick ! Is my husband dead?" 

''0 no, mistiss!" 

''What then — is my son Edwin?" 
He was from home. 

"0 no, mistiss, it is nothing like that. I 



52 



THE HELM. 



thought I would tell you how, as I was coming up 
from town, I met Mr. Tucker's boy, and he asked 
me if I had heard of master's bad luck " 

^^0, Milly, is he dangerously hurt?" 

''No, ma'am. But he said the ship that was 
fetching all his goods across the sea is gone to the 
bottom — and it 's printed in the papers." 

''0, Milly! is that all— is that all? 0, I am so 
relieved! I have my husband and my children 
yet, thank God! Is that all?" ^ . 

''Indeed, ma'am, I thought that was enough; 
the ship and all dem fine goods gone to de bot- 
tom!" 

In the evening my father approached the house 
with slow and measured steps. My mother was 
w^atching at the door, and with a smiling face said, 
"Come on; I have heard all. We are all here. 
We have resources within ourselves, and God will 
help us." And she so cheered him up, that ho 
could give a deliberate account of the shipwreck, 
and all that had transpired. But this was only the 
beginning of the calamity. The brothers agreed to 
turn over to him the stock on hand, and an interest 
which they could command in Norfolk, to the 
amount of several thousand dollars, if he would 
take upon him the outstanding credits and debts. 
He felt he could at least weather the point on such 
terms. The elder brother left at once the country 
where he had drank so deeply of sorrow. Francis 
went down to Norfolk to carry out the contract, 



S E A - L I F E . 



53 



but was heard of no more. My father buffeted the 
adverse tide awhile^ but finally broke — honorably 
broke — giving up all, without mental or pecuniary 
reservation. Many who were his friends in pros- 
perity stood by the family to the last. My oldest 
brother completed his study of the law, under Mr. 
Wirt; and my decision was the sea, with an inten- 
tion to become a sea-captain. This was common in 
that section of the country. There were few fami- 
lies who had not a representative on the seas. I 
laid by all other studies, and betook myself to the 
acquisition of navigation. I soon possessed a good 
understanding of it theoretically. The gentleman 
under whom I agreed to sail did not require indent- 
ures, but said he did not wish to retain me a mo- 
ment after I mio;ht become dissatisfied. It was mv 
intention not to make use of names in this work, 
unless absolutely necessary. I think it is wrong 
in an autobiography. Although many with whom 
my early history is connected are no more, yet they 
may have relations and connections still living, and 
they might not wish to see their names bandied 
about. Gapt. C, or rather ex-Capt. C. was my tem- 
porary master. He had made a fortune on the seas, 
and now owned the beautiful ship ^'Sheffield." He 
had for years ceased to command, and always em- 
ployed a captain proper to take charge. He would 
go as supercargo when there was a cargo, and when 
there was none, a gentleman at large. He was 
a great beau on land — and on sea when ladies 



64 



THE HELM. 



were about — though, he was a confirmed bachelor^ 
and tidy but genteel in his dress. The front and 
top of his head was bald, and slick as a peeled 
onion. His hair, behind, was made up in a cue 
about as big as a pig's tail, with an abundance of 
pomatum and powder, which was daily dressed by 
black Tom the steward. When I Avould follow him 
to the naval store for some article, he would run 
me breathless; but when ladies were promenading 
on either side of the street, I would then gain on 
him; for he would stop and make a bow — an old- 
time bow. He would take his hat off his head, 
swing it down by his side, and give a lordly bend 
for every lady in the group, while his head would 
shine in the sun like a looking-glass; and then he 
would go on his way, talking to himself, but never 
distinctly enough for me to get into his secrets. It 
was to this man, whom I have described in advance, 
that I became a nominal apprentice. 

Having rigged myself off, with jacket and trow- 
sers, I proceeded down to the ship, about twelve 
miles distant, accompanied by a servant who was 
to bring the horses back. Arriving at the brink 
of a high hill overlooking the shipping, I suddenly 
stopped in amazement. I had never seen such a 
wide-spread sheet of water as the James River pre- 
sented at that point. It was a sprinkling and windy 
day, and the water was considerably ruffled. Here 
I felt my faith giving way; but then I thought, if 
you falter at this, what will you do in the swellings 



S E A - L I F E . 



55 



of the ocean? Ambition came to my aid, and I 
went on board. The men were glad that a boy 
had dropped among them, because he would do 
many small jobs that they were glad to get rid of; 
so I became a great favorite. 

After we had passed the Capes, I can not de- 
scribe with what extreme anxiety I watched the 
dim continent, till the last streak of land disap- 
peared. The sheep and pigs that had been placed 
under my province were stowed away in the long- 
boat, amidships, with the pinnace capsized over 
them for a shelter, and all strons;lv lashed. I saw 
the sheep putting out their heads between the boats, 
and ranging with their eyes the horizon^ as though 
to catch the sight of one more verdant hill, or 
flowery valley; and then they would bleat most 
piteously. My whole mind was at once in partner- 
ship and sympathy with their sorrow, and I said 
within myself, ^^"What a strange and unnatural per- 
version of thinQ;s!" But I had not much leisure to 
philosophize, for the sea began to swell more freely, 
and all at once a strange class of feelings over- 
whelmed me. A deadly sickness which had no pro- 
totype aside of blue water, unless it be excessive 
drunkenness, struck me, and I became the merrily 
observed of all observers. The whole world became 
topsy-turvy, and an utter carelessness of life and 
death possessed me. A perpetual retching, with- 
out a possibility of discharging my stomach, was 
my enduring torment. An alien from all human 



56 



THE HELM\ 



sympathy, for the whole crew rejoiced, I had to 
endure as best I could, 

"When my sorrows they saw, and smiled at the tears which I shed!" 

Indeed, they labored to augment my atBiction. I 
saw an old salt peeping round the foremast, and 
beckoning to me. I hastened to stagger toward 
him, for it was the only phiz that bore marks of 
commiseration. '^My dear boy," said he, ^'you need 
not endure this nasty complaint for five minutes* 
I know a sovereign remedy.'' 

'^0, tell me what it is, do!" 

''Well, if you will swallow this fat gob of pork, 
which is tied to this string, I will jerk it right up 
again, and you will be cured in a moment." The 
very idea of this operation increased my distress, 
and multiplied my gagging. When I had suffered 
a few days, the steward brought up from the cabin 
a keg which had contained cherry-bounce, and 
wished me to get the cherries out of the bung- 
hole, and give them to the pigs. The cherries 
looked pretty, and I thought I would taste them 
and see if they were fit for pigs. The first one 
brought back a little animation to my pallet, and 
I went on for quantity, till I was fearful of addling 
the remnant of brains that seemed to be left. Sud- 
denly my stomach took a free somerset, and I had 
a profuse liberation. In a few days I was good for 
full allowance of fat pork and ship biscuit. The 
captain would not let me be sent aloft during my 



S E A - L I F E . 



57 



seasickness, and said, ''Wait till he gets his sea- 
legs aboard." But now I was sent up into the 
maintop. To those who are unacquainted with ships, 
we will say that the top is a platform of wood 
which surrounds the head of the mast. The lower 
shrouds extend from the sides of the vessel, inclin- 
ing into the head of the lower mast, and with rat- 
lins — like a ladder. When you get there you come 
to the puttock-shrouds, their lower ends connecting 
with the lower shrouds close into the mast; they 
are fastened by their upper ends to the side of the 
rim of the top, where they are in connection with 
the topmast shrouds, giving you another slant to 
the head of the topmast. The intermediate shrouds 
slant over your head about forty-five degrees, till 
you surmount the edge of the top and get hold of 
the topmast shrouds; while climbing them, your 
whole body hangs nearly horizontal with the deck. 
When I saw men going up, with their whole body 
hanging over the deck, I could not conceive how 
they could keep their feet on the ratlins; and I 
had many forebodings about my time to come. My 
time had now come, and I ran up the lower shrouds 
sailor-like, for I had been celebrated at home for 
my agility. But when I looked overhead and saw 
that I would now have to climb the other way for 
a piece, with my head from the mast, and body 
hanging over the deck, I trembled. But I saw 
there was a short cut through the center of the 
top, where the rigging came down, so wheeled 



58 



THE HELM. 



quickly, and was sliding through the friendly open- 
ing, when a simultaneous shouting arose from the 
deck fore and aft, ^^Ah! you lubber, you lubber, 
you soldier you! you are gliding through lubber's 
hole, are you?" I thought I would stop that music 
forever, if it were at the expense of my life; so I 
withdrew and ascended up the old way. And hav- 
ing passed the Eubicon, in a little while could run 
over the rigging like a squirrel. 

But I had to learn the bend of the sailors as well 
as the rigging; for I was too trusty and confiding. 
The captain called me in the cabin to bottle oS 
some Holland gin; and when I was done he pre- 
sented me with a bottle of the stuff. I was so 
proud of it that I did not even cover it with my 
handkerchief, as the worst of drunkards do, but 
carried it, all sparkling as it was, to the forecastle, 
winking at the men as I passed, and deposited it in 
my chest, which I thought was impregnable when 
it was locked; not understanding at that time 
that all chest-keys were alike. My calculations 
about my bottle were very benevolent. I intended, 
at a proper season, to give a taste to every man 
before the mast. One chilly night I told the watch 
on deck, to which I belonged, that I would get out 
my bottle and treat them all. As I was going for- 
ward I heard a little tittering behind, but it might 
be in anticipation of a swig. 

When I brought my bottle up I took a consider- 
able pull at it myself — when, lo, I swallowed a 



SEA-LIFE. 



69 



draught of salt water! Yes^ it was salt^ but truth 
compels me to record it was something more than 
salt. Here followed an uproarious laugh on deck, 
and then came back a mighty echo from below ; and 
I felt as if I did not care about owning another 
bottle of gin while I might live. The scamps had 
made a general conspiracy against my bottle. 

We have not as great a variety in the scenery at 
sea as we have in traveling on the land — no tow- 
ering mountains or wide-spread flowery valleys. 
Incidents are few and far between — still we have 
not a dull uniformity. The scene is considerably 
varied by the light winds that gently ruffle the 
glassy surface to the driving tempest which dashes 
the swelling billows to the skies, till all seems to be 
mingled in lawless but sublime confusion. Inci- 
dents seldom occur, but in proportion to their scarc- 
ity is their all-absorbing interest. When the cry of 
''Sail, ho!" is heard through the ship, all on board 
are aroused. When first seen, the stranger appears 
like a dark speck in the distant horizon — presently 
we raise her lower sails, then her hull; as we near 
her she comes pitching and rolling, and exposing 
half of her bottom by fits and starts, like some liv- 
ing monster of the great deep: and if the breeze is 
tolerably fresh we hardly have time to exchange the 
usual comxpliments — 'Svhence came ye? whither are 
you bound?" — when she is gone, and we rush on to 
our destinv to meet no more. 

The captain seemed much pleased when he found 



60 



THE HELM. 



I had studied navigation; and as he had a spare 
quadrant on board, he made me take the sun every 
day and keep a journal. I would sometimes be 
greatly annoyed by an antic sailor, who would stand 
partly concealed by the foremast so that the officers 
could not see him, while he could be seen by myself ; 
and he would raise the jaw-bone of a hog to his 
eye, and twist himself about with the motions of 
the ship, and carry on his mockery, while I would 
be operating. The sailors did not seem to like it so 
well when they found I was getting qualified for the 
cabin. One, who was generally called growler, said, 
'•'I expect he will be a bully captain some of these 
days, and kick and cuff the poor sailors about." 
And then, instead of looking on me and weeping, as 
the prophet did before Hazael, he talked himself 
into a fury, grit his teeth, and clinched his fist, and 
cursed and swore what he would do with me if he 
ever fell under my jurisdiction. And so he battled 
against his man of straw. But I laughed and said, 
^^Ko, Bill, you are wrong; I am going to be a very 
good captain to the sailors; I mean to give them 
their allowance of grog every day, besides splicing 
the main brace after every storm, and watch and 
watch, blow high or blow low." And thus I would 
talk till I got him into a good humor again. 

The generality of landsmen, when they look at the 
rough exterior of a sea captain, and consider well 
his defiant carriage, conclude that he has very little 
of the milk of human kindness in him. So I thought 



S E A - L I F E . 



61 



at first in regard to my captain^ because he sometimes 
made me shin up to the royal mast-head — a long, 
slender pole, beyond all rigging, and well slashed 
withal — to rig pendant halliards. But I made a 
sudden discovery one day, and found that although 
his tear-box was shallow, and his benevolence was 
stowed away deep, and was not to be wasted on 
every occasion, yet he was kind and feeling. One 
day I was sent up to send down the top-gallant sail 
yard. "We had topped the yard, and I was standing 
in the topmast shrouds, directing the yard in its 
descent^ when the ship brought a tremendous lee- 
lurch and weather-roll, and the yard got loose from 
me, and, returning with a powerful swing, knocked 
me out of the shrouds. I cauQ;ht with one hand on 
a dubious ratlin, and my whole body swung to 
leeward, suspended by the ratlin over the angry 
billows. The captain on deck turned pale, Avrung 
his hands, and exclaimed in a shrill feminine voice, 
which he always assumed when in distress, ^^0, my 
boy, my boy! my boy is lost, lost!" He was un- 
usually kind to me for some time after this. He 
never knew how that outburst of concern riveted 
me to him forever. My master was an out-and-out 
epicure. Much of his time was taken up in consid- 
ering what he would eat and what he would drink. 
About one o'clock he would be about the caboose 
inspecting and tasting the dishes. If they pleased 
him he would smack his lips, and say to the old 
negro cook, David, David! I say, David, that's 



62 



THE HELM. 



nice, David — David, you deserve a dram for this, 
David!" This was David's only dish. I never saw 
him eat a meal in my life. He seemed to live on 
the flavor and steam of the caboose; but it was ex- 
hilarating to see him toss off a dram. The dinner 
was deferred till two o'clock, that the after-gang 
might become as ravenous as Polar bears. The 
captain would then sit for two hours, drinking wine 
with the passengers, and engaged in sundry talk. 
He would come upon deck about five o'clock, with 
a face as round and red as a full moon, take a 
round or two on the quarter-deck, and then slyly 
approach the bulwarks, and generously discharge 
his variegated cargo to the sharks. 

When we made the white cliffs of Old England I 
was entranced. It was on a clear, sunshining 
morning; but every thing had to me a diminutive 
appearance. The farms seemed to be gardens with 
large beds, the shrub-fences — walks. Seeing a 
house near the shore, it appeared of the size of our 
dog-house on board. Here I first learned the rela- 
tion of sight to distance. I said to an old sailor, 
''What are they doing with so many dog-houses 
ashore? Look at that little white dog-house on the 
beach !'* 

''Dog-house, indeed! I am acquainted with this 
part of the coast. That is one of the largest tav- 
erns on this part of England. How far do you 
think you are from land?" 

/'About a mile or a mile and a half." 



SEA-LIFE. 



63 



^'You barber's clerk, you! Ave are about eight 
miles off." 

As soon as I understood the distance every thing 
appeared right. We are not going to afflict our 
readers with a regular log-book^ but intend to talve 
a running and general view of our sea-life. We 
made three voyages to London, and became better 
acquainted with the points and reaches of the 
Thames than with those of our own James Eiver. 

There is no small perplexity and fun in ascending 
the last five miles. Here the comers and goers be- 
came so thick often, that we had to drift up by the 
force of the tide, with very little sail, and sometimes 
get locked in with a raft of vessels of all sizes and 
nations. In that day American ships were highly 
ornamented and neat in their rigging. Our ship 
had a handsome figure-head, and a group of images 
as lars^e as life reclininsj; around her stern. There 
Avas a class of vessels called colliers, commanded by 
rough North-of-England men, Avith crowds more un- 
couth and outlandish than themselves. It AA-as one 
of their peculiar delights to smash a Yankee. They 
AA'ould rush into an xlmerican A^essel, crying out in 
their rude brogue, ^^Take care of your gingerbread 
Avorks there!" and aAA^ay AA^ould fly an arm or leg 
from our stern-fio^ires. OuAA^ard Ave AA'ould move 

o 

amid thumping sides and snapping spars. The 
creAvs Avould sometimes get exasperated, and billets 
of AA'Ood and belaying pins Avould fly through the 
air. In the general roAA^; if a negro should put his 



64 



THE HELM. 



head up a scuttle, a general cry would rise, ''Who 
dat? who dat?" This would be followed by a uni- 
versal laugh, and the poor darkey would have to 
dodge back. We labored hard, but without success, 
to learn the origin of this. One thing is certain, it 
was not because they had any prejudice against 
Africans. Their currency in England is undis- 
puted. It is no uncommon thing, in the atmos- 
phere of shipping, to see fair ladies locked arm 
with the Africans, going to church, and their beaux 
carrying their Morocco prayer-books. Some of our 
officers got acquainted with a rich tobacconist. 
When the ship returned to London the young men 
of the family invited the mates to come and take 
tea with them, observing that their sister had got 
married, during their absence, to a Virginia gentle- 
man. When the officers arrived they were invited 
into a splendid parlor, and introduced to the brother- 
in-law-— a tall, double-jointed negro. 

Sometimes our white men would get into a fight, 
on shore, with some of the colored cooks and stew- 
ards. Then the Cockneys would crowd around — 
''Give it to him, my African! Let him have it! 
You are not in America now. You are in the land 
of freedom — the land of liberty, my boy; plank it 
into him!'' 

One Sabbath I thought I would make the tour 
of London. I began by hunting a Methodist meet- 
ing-house, which could not be found; but as St. 
Paul's was looming up over all, thither my steps 



S E A - L I F E . 



65 



were bent. When close to it I was utterly disap- 
pointed. True, it was an enormous structure, and 
of its architecture I was not capable of judging; 
but standing, as it had done for generations, in the 
coal-smoke and moisture of London, many parts of 
it were as black as the back of a chimney. Hav- 
ing entered under the dome, I was astonished at 
the magnitude of the work, and the distance trav- 
eled in examining; its monuments. Passino: alono; 
the gangway that bordered the central space, the 
strokes of an oro:an struck mv ear. I was bold 
enough to open, gently, a door, and found myself in 
an audience, and, from the splendor of their costume, 
I began to conclude that I had intruded into the 
nobility, if not into the royal family. I was afraid 
my sailor-dress Avould involve me in a dismissal, 
but they seemed to be so taken up with each other 
that I was hardly noticed. I observed that as often 
as the preacher or reader mentioned any of the 
Divine titles the orphan struck. 

Being dismissed from the ecclesiastical glory of 
England, we — you see we have found company — 
continued our explorations toward the court-end of 
the citv, and in two hours Q:ot lost — as Vve believed, 
irrecoverably lost. If any one gets lost in London, 
let him ask the first genteel-looking person the 
way. He will stop, and, looking very wise, will 
say, ^^Find it out by your learning, as I did.'' 
Then turn next to a plain working-man, whose 
tanned skin appears impervious to mischief, and ask 



66 



THE HELM. 



liim the direction to London bridge; he will say, 
^^With pleasure, sir. Take that street, and go one 
mile, you Avill come to an open square, turn to the 
right and that will lead you right down to the 
hridgey This will put you two miles more out of 
the way. The Cockneys take sovereign pleasure in 
putting strangers out of the way, and laying a 
stumbling-block in the way of the blind. Happy 
are the lost if they meet an American sailor, even 
if he is two sheets in the wind, and the third shiv- 
ering, he will put you in the right road, if he is 
half-lost himself. The Londoners speak barbarous 
English. "Well may their literati hail with trans- 
ports Webster's unabridged. Indeed, their orators 
ought to finish their English studies in Philadelphia. 

They — the common people — are, moreover, very 
superstitious — full of fearful traditions, which they 
hold next to Scripture. We might give one example : 
'^The time is coming when a blind man shall hold 
the horses of three kings at the foot of London 
bridge, while England shall be lost and won three 
times in one day." Every one is disappointed in 
London at first sight. Its principal prestige is its 
overgrown qualities. The houses are generally 
made of brick, which are the color of ours before 
they are burned. This dingy hue, noways improved 
by smoke and the almost continual moisture of the 
atmosphere, has any thing but a pleasant appear- 
ance. The city is disgusting in comparison with 
New York, Baltimore, or Boston. In all our trad- 



S E A - L I F E . 



67 



ing with. London, embracing all seasons, we never 
saw three bright, sunshiny days. It is not my 
purpose to d^vell on this city. Travelers have, 
again and again, described its lions — I thought I 
would only turn up some of its substratum. I 
would hardly do justice, though, in passing by the 
Battle of the Bee-hive, which happened while we 
were there. There was a beer-house, not far from 
the Tower, called the Bee-hive," which had been 
so long patronized by the Yankees, that the Amer- 
ican flag waved over it perpetually. At that time 
there was an unusual number of PortuQ-uese in 
port, and they came suddenly and unexpectedly 
upon the Americans, drove them out, and pulled 
down the flas:. The next week the Americans mus- 
tered a considerable army, and undertook to dis- 
lodo;e the enemv. The battle was severe. In the 
midst of the fray, the Irish got to hear of it in 
their quarters, and they came pouring down like a 
hurricane. Some one hailed the leader, and asked 
him where he was rushing: 

There 's a fight on hand, me darling ! and we 
mean to have a finger in the pie." 

''"Which side will you take?" 

^^American, sure; for they say there is a little 
Ireland in America." 

And they pitched in, knocking down, and dragging 
out. The fight became so serious that they had to 
order troops from the Tower to quell it ; and several 
loads of the wounded were carried to the hospital. 



68 



THE HELM. 



The Bee-hive, however, was retaken, and the 
American flag, for aught we know, may be flying 
there to the present day. 

According to our best observations, England is 
the most intemperate nation on earth. Often have 
we seen the lower class of females, with flushed 
cheeks, staggering along the city, taking both 
sides of the walk. Those in better circumstances 
drink their cofi"ee laced, as they call it, with French 
brandy, or West India rum. But let us put out 
into blue water again. 



VOYAGE UP THE 



NOKTH SEA. 



G9 



IV. 

VOYAGE UP THE NORTH SEA. 

One of tlie most interesting voyages I ever made 
was np the North Sea. As it was in the days of 
the ^'Rarnbouillet decree/' our ship joined a fleet 
of merchantmen of about seventy sail, under the 
convoy of a large English sloop-of-war, and a gov- 
ernment vessel of inferior metal. When the weather 
is fine, with a tolerable breeze and smooth sea, there 
can be no scene more pleasant than a fleet under 
convoy. It always brings to the mind the idea of 
a hen with her numerous brood. The fleet was 
made up of vessels of different nations, order, and 
speed. Ships, brigs, schooners, sloops, and galliots 
composed the motley mixture. So various were 
they in respect to speed especially, that, while 
some were leisurely careering along under close- 
reefed top- sails, and sometimes one of them aback, 
others were groaning under a crowd of sail, top- 
gallant sails, studding sails, and all the canvas that 
they could show. Sometimes they seemed to lie 
almost gunwales under, and yet appeared to be sta- 
tionary on the waves. Ours was a first-rate Yir- 
ginia merchantman, and her speed had tried many 
a British frigate in the time of the Chesapeake 



70 



THE HELM. 



commotion. Consequently, we walked among them 
at our pleasure; and, backing and filing through 
the fleet, we enjoyed the luxury of conversing freely 
with persons from almost every part of the world. 
This was vastly pleasant. "We had heretofore made 
long and lonesome voyages across the Atlantic, and 
we enjoyed but seldom the felicity of speaking a 
ship at sea. Under such circumstances, the cheer- 
ing cry of ^^Sail ho! sail ho!" springs a flash of joy 
in every bosom, from the captain to the cabin-boy. 
The strange sail appears at first like a dark speck 
in the distant horizon. Presently we see her hov- 
ering like a dark bird in our wake. We look 
again, and she is gone. We rush on to our respect- 
ive destinies; but with renewed impressions of the 
shortness of the voyage of life, and the rapid flight 
of time. The Bible student almost involuntarily 
exclaims, with Job, They pass away like the fast- 
sailing ships J' But on the North Sea we found our- 
selves in the midst of a floating, fugitive city, and 
the solitude of ocean seemed to be driven away. 
One night we were suddenly alarmed by a torrent 
of blue flame, pouring over the stern of a distant 
bark. This was the signal of an enemy close 
aboard. It was at this particular time that the 
analogy between the fleet and a brood of chickens 
struck most forcibly. Immediately the man-of-war 
made signal lights for us to consolidate. The ves- 
sels in advance hove to, or shortened sail; while 
those which were laboring astern, and had been 



VOYAGE UP THE NORTH SEA. 



71 



straining a perpetual race from the beginning, 
crowded more. We soon Imddled to2:ether like 
frightened chickens^ while the sloop-of-war, wheel- 
ing round as an angry hen would do to face the 
hawk, left us in charge of her consort, and crowded 
all sail in chase of the privateer. 

And, while we are thus hove to, permit m.e to 
tell a story about an American merchantman that 
was taken at this time. The enemy proved to be a 
Danish privateer. She hastily threw a prize-master 
and crew on board, and ordered them into the first 
port. The Americans were not confined, and, as 
they had open intercourse with each other, the cap- 
tain formed a plan to retake the vessel. He told 
his men to be always ready; that he would em- 
brace the most favorable opportunity; and that the 
signal or watchword should be, "The ship's our 
ow7iy Hours after hours rolled^ by, and no good 
opportunity seemed to present itself. At last the 
destined port hove in view. The ship Avas rapidly 
nearing the harbor. Orders were given to over- 
haul the cable and clear the anchor. The American 
ensign was hoisted under their national flag. The 
captive captain bit his lips. He cast a feverish 
glance around. He saw his hearts of oak at their 
stations, and their indignant sky-lights fastened 
upon him. He could stand no more, but bellowed 
out, in a voice that echoed from stem to tafferel. 
''The ship's our ow^n." Some of the Danes, hav- 
ing an imperfect knowledge of the English, under- 



72 



THE HELM. 



stood him to say, ^^The ship's aground," and they 
reiterated in their own tongue, ^^The ship 's 
aground — the ship 's aground." These were luck- 
less words; for every Dane ran to look over the 
sides, to see if the ship's way was stopped. The 
Americans had meditated a bloody rescue, and had 
stationed a hand at the carpenter's chest, below, to 
supply them with deadly tools. Not that they had 
any particular spite against their foreign ship- 
mates; but they were harrowed up by the thoughts 
of a Danish prison. But when they saw them 
standing so convenient to the blue water, they con- 
cluded to give them the most honorable quietus 
that a conquered sailor could ask for; so they 
tipped them over the sides, and gave them a 
launch, as they expressed it, into ^^Davy Jones's 
locker." A strong and active American brought 
the man at the helm a kind of lee-lurch and 
weather-roll, and sent him sprawling into the scup- 
pers, dryly observing that, as the ship had changed 
her papers, and it was necessary to relieve the 
helm, he believed he would take the first trick at 
the wheel. As he said this, he cocked his eye up 
to the mizzen-peak, where the national flags were 
taking a somersault extraordinary. Meantime the 
captain spread himself as large as life on the quar- 
ter-deck, and once more cried out with an untram- 
meled tongue, '^Eard a-lee, there! Foresheet, fore- 
top-bowlinej jib and staysail sheets ^ let go /" The 
saucy Eliza sprung at once into the wind's eye; 



VOYAGE UP THE NORTH SEA. 



73 



and in the next moment was lieard^ ^'Ifaintop-sail 
haul! jBoard tacks, and gather aftT And^ as 
they slewed their spanker to the shore, the aston- 
ished natives, who had crowded the Avharf to see 
the prize enter, beheld the bright Stars and Stripes 
of the American Republic floating over the hum- 
bled bunting of Denmark. You may well suppose 
that the crew was not slow in obeying the command 
to muster aft and give three cheers, and then to 
break loose, in their hearty manner, and sing: 

" stretch her off, my brave boys ! 
For it never shall be said 
That the sons of America 

Were ever yet afraid. 
Stretch her off, my brave boys!" 

The best of all is, we have no list of the killed 
and wounded, for this singular maneuver took place 
almost in the mouth of the harbor, and it was un- 
doubtedly a bloodless victory. The discharged 
crcAV, of course, took to their flippers; and their 
active countrymen on shore would hardly let them 
perish. But the Eliza left them diving and floun- 
dering about like a Dutch galliot in the Bay of 
Biscay. 

In returning to the fleet, we would observe, how 
often do we realize through life the folly of trust- 
ing in chariots or horses, or even in ships, however 
strong they may be ! While we on board the Shef- 
field were felicitating ourselves on our advantages, 
both in regard to labor and safety — because the 

easy sail we carried was not too much for an ordi- 

7 



-74 



THE HELM. 



nary gale, and while others were continually making 
or taking in sail, we had but little to do — a storm 
came on, when we discovered that an unforeseen evil 
was preparing to devour us. The ballast which we 
had taken in, and which seemed sufficiently solid, 
proved to be a species of quicksand. The pumps 
became choked, and the bilge water, diffusing itself 
through the ballast, liquefied the whole mass, and 
the shifting boards were not sufficient for this 
exigency. The ship could stand on neither tack 
without capsizing. The hatches could not be safely 
moved with the heavy sea that was going. The 
scene, as viewed from the between-decks by the 
light of our candles, was truly appalling. The bal- 
last rolled in terrific waves fore and aft, and we 
had in the hold a fearful miniature of the storm 
that was raging without. Our captain was entirely 
unmanned — he wept like a child; and as I stooped 
down by his side to hold the lamp, more than once 
or twice I heard the half-smothered prayer, ^^Lord, 
have mercy upon us!" We hoisted a signal of dis- 
tress,, when our noble convoy bore dow^n, and threw 
several boat-loads of hardy sailors on board. With 
much labor we succeeded in establishing shifting- 
boards, and securing the ballast, so as to go on 
with some degree of safety. However, this gale 
dissolved all our social compacts, and the fleet was 
scattered to congregate no more. 

In a few days we were standing in for Norway. 
The prospect on approaching this coast was most 



VOYAaE UP THE NOETH SEA. 



75 



sublime. We do not say it Avas the most pleasing 
ever witnessed. The most enchanting scene we 
ever beheld of the kind Avas on a previous voyage, 
while making the coast of Holland. Hearing on 
that occasion the cheering cry of ^^Land ho!" I 
sprung from below, and looking over the weather 
bow, saw numerous stacks of chimneys, steeples, 
and spires rising apparently out of the sea, while 
the morning sun Avas playing upon them Avith his 
dazzling beams. All on board seemed to be per- 
fectly entranced. It appeared to exceed all of 
witchcraft lore or fairy scenery that had ever been 
told. ^^What have Ave here?" exclaimed I. ^^A 
Dutch village," said one. ^^But AAdiere is the 
land?" In the AA^atch beloAv; and ncA^er a needle- 
full AAuU you see for an hour to come." And so it 
was. Presently Ave raised the roofs of the houses, 
then the AvindoAVS, and, last of all, a dark pencil 
line, as it Avere, disclosing the bank or leA"^ee Avhich 
protects the coast from the sea, and the whole 
country from inundation. On entering the river, 
Ave found that it Avas protected by a similar levee. 
All the meadoAVS and pastures Avere separated by 
verdant banks of like construction; and to one aloft 
the AA'hole face of the country Avore the appearance 
of a vast honeycomb. The contrast betAveen this 
and the coast of NorAvay Avas very striking. Here 
Nature presented herself in her most rugged sublim- 
ity. Lofty mountains, frightful cliffs, and flinty 
promontories stretched along the coast. We had a 



76 



THE HELM. 



good pilot on board — but to be standing full on this 
iron-bound country, with all sail set, and not a bay, 
inlet, sandbank, or river's mouth, to indicate a har- 
bor at hand, was truly terrific. Still she sailed on, 
and sailed on; and every knot she ran seemed to 
render the prospect more and more horrible. At last 
a narrow passage around a needle, that stood out of 
the sea, began to discover itself. We entered in, 
but it appeared to terminate against a perpendicu- 
lar cliff, not far ahead, where it seemed we must of 
necessity come to the end of our rope. But just 
before Ave reached the frightful point, another pas- 
sage presented, and another; and so we glided, as it 
were, among the enormous fragments of a ruined 
coast, till at last we shot into a tranquil basin, 
entirely shut in from the sea. The water here was 
smooth as a mirror, and clear and blue as the 
waves of the midway ocean. Even our very royal 
masts w^ere protected from the storms that idly 
raged without; and in front of our anchorage stood 
the beautiful and romantic village of Christiansand. 
Were we writing the history of our travels in full, 
we would love to dwell on this Norv/egian scenery ; 
but we have brought our readers into this part 
merely to relate a circumstance which overshad- 
owed our whole crew with mourning. 

After the ship had taken in a cargo of lumber, 
and was prepared to depart on the next morning, it 
was the turn of one part of the crew to have a 
night's liberty on shore. When the evening came, 



VOYAGE UP THE NOETH SEA. 77 

the forecastle was lighted up; and there was a gen- 
eral overhauling of chests^ in search of some favor- 
ite articles of dress^ long togs, etc. An unusual glee 
pervaded the ship's company. There was a man on 
board named Charles. He was a Polander by birth. 
He was a man of more dignified bearing than gen- 
erally falls to the lot of sailors^ and, according to his 
own account, had held some important office in the 
army. He spoke English badly, but was so full of 
hilarity and good-humor, that he Avas a universal 
favorite. He was, moreover, the handsomest man 
on board; which, by the by, he might have been 
without being a prodigy, for we were a hard- 
favored collection of weather do2:s. This last-men- 
tioned quality was no let or hinderance to his 
popularity on board, as sailors think that beauty 
may do for soldiers or barbers' clerks. Charles had 
worn an uncommonly-gloomy appearance all this 
afternoon; and Avhile the joke, the laugh, the repar- 
tee were going their usual rounds in the fore peak, 
a settled cloud rested on his brow. I have Avished 
often since that I had taken him aside, and asked 
him seriously what was resting on his mind; for I 
have a curiosity to the present day to know whether 
some awful presentiment was gnawing on his spirits, 
or whether he was meditating som^e dark deed, un- 
worthy of his general character. At last he made 
a powerful eff'ort to shake off his reverie, and began 
to prepare for the shore. All things being adjusted, 
the company lightly tripped over the main deck, 



78 



THE HELM. 



and, passing out at the starboard gangway, entered 
into a flat, which had been used in bringing off our 
stores. There were no oars kept in her, as one good 
shove would generally send her to the wharf. 
Charles was the last who entered in. Some one 
cried out, ^^Give her a good headway, Charley." 
He took a very heavy set. The scoav shot like an 
arrow; but poor Charley, being either unable or 
unwilling — God knows which — to recover himself, 
fell with a tremendous plunge. The men in the flat 
were receding from him, and having no means of 
coming to his rescue, could only cry out with might 
and main, ^^Man overboard!" The alarming cry 
rang from ship to ship, from shore to shore, in all 
the babbling languages of the harbor. ^^Man over- 
board! man overboard!" This, with the darkness 
of the night, the plunging into boats, the rattling 
of oars, the bursting forth of lights upon the water 
and the land, formed a scene awfully terrific. At 
the onset of alarm, those of us who were on board 
searched diligently all around the ship for the pin- 
nace, but no boat could we see; yet when he had 
sunk to rise no more alive, we found the boat fast- 
ened to the larboard gangway, with all her oars in. 
Our general belief in that day was, that ^^our eyes 
were blinded that we could not perceive." And 
many a fearful talk about that pinnace did we 
have at sea, under the lee of the long-boat. Nearly 
all night was spent in raking for the body, but to 
no purpose. A deep gloom fell on the crew. The 



VOYAGE VF THE ^-ORTH SEA. 



79 



next morning, with heavy hearts, we manned the 
windlass and mt under wav. After we arrived in 

o 

England, we received a friendly letter, stating that 
the body of poor Charles was found on the day we 
sailed, and that he was buried with all the nautical 
honors that the port could aJlbrd. 



80 



THE HELM. 



V. 

STORMS AND SHORT ALLOWANCE. 

We have been sometimes asked if we were ever 
shipwrecked. We never were^ but we have en- 
countered many dangerous and stripping storms. 
Once on the midway ocean we encountered a gale 
that continued for several days with increasing vio- 
lence. It came on gradually, so that we could 
shorten sail as it increased. This we did continu- 
ally, till we were under bare poles, hoping that this 
would suffice. But still the gale increased, so that 
we had to send down our top-sail yards, and even 
house the topmasts. But it raged on till we had 
to lower down our lower yards, and then it became 
a perfect hurricane. The seas broke over our decks, 
sweeping fore and aft, and we were apprehensive 
we would have to cut away our lower masts. The 
heavy thumps of conflicting surges so opened her 
seams as to cause profuse leaking, and we were 
under constant apprehension of the ship swamping 
under us. For several days we had no regular 
meals, and when we did eat it was raw provision; 
for it Avas impossible to cook. As tenacious as the 
captain Avas of his fine cabin, he had to take his 



STOKMS AND SHORT ALLOWANCE. 81 



crew into it; for the forecastle was necessarily bat- 
tened down. Such was the laboring and pitching 
of the ship, that the men could not keep their feet 
while eating a morsel. One man had to sit on the 
floor with his feet pressed against the locker; 
another would get behind him, and press his feet 
against the back of the first, and so on till they 
formed a line across the cabin. Then a piece of 
fat raw pork was handed from one to another, and 
- every man would out with his knife and cut off a 
hunk. The bread-bag was passed in the same way, 
and so we took our meals. When the gale subsided, 
it was like rigging a new ship, to get her in order 
to pursue her course. But we were once in a more 
dangerous position than this, as we thought. We 
were bound for Spain, and making for Cadiz — the 
land in view. After a beautiful morning the at- 
mosphere became hazy. We were under a press of 
canvas, when we were suddenly struck by a le- 
vanter. I was at the helm at the time. The square 
mainsail flew from its bolt-ropes like a handkerchief. 
In clapping the helm aweather, it seemed to me as 
if my ribs were crushed. The captain called two 
men to the helm, and as soon as the ship was got- 
ten under proper sail, we began to beat oS; but it 
was a vain eff'ort. We were partly land-locked, 
and in consequence of the reduction of sail, we 
made much leeway. It blew furiously. The le- 
vanter is supposed by some to be the euroclydon, 
which shipwrecked the apostle Paul. In the midst 



82 



THE HELM. 



of all our trouble, niglit — dark, moonless, starless 
night — came on. When we tacked toward the shore, 
we would stand on till the surf could be dimly dis- 
cerned like an enormous drift of snow, while its 
thunder would rise superior to all the bowlings of 
the tempest. It was evident that with all our effort 
we were gradually nearing the shore. Although 
our topsails were close-reefed, the canvas new, and 
our spars strong, yet it seemed a miracle to all on 
board that she could carry any sail in such a driv- 
ing tornado. The captain at last spoke out, ^^The 
gale is increasing, the sails and spars can not stand 
this much longer. If we take in any more sail it 
will only hasten our fate. Carpenter, get your ax; 
if a yard breaks, or a sail splits, we will have to 
cut away the masts and let her go — perhaps on an 
iron-bound coast, where all will be lost." A silent 
agony seemed to reign over the crew. The voice 
of cursing and swearing had long since been hushed. 
The boasting sailor stood as quiet as a lamb. When 
a spar would give an unusual creak, the sailors 
would squat almost to the deck, as though to re- 
ceive with humble submission the final blow. 0, 
what prayers silently ascended! What promises 
were made! The bitterness of death was almost 
passed, when it pleased God in his infinite mercy 
to haul the w^ind round six or seven points, so that, 
though the storm blev/ with greater violence, we 
were enabled to stand out to sea. 

We are aware that some who are accustomed to 



STORMS AND SHOKT ALLOWANCE. 83 



sea matters will regard this as incredible — incredible 
that the ship should beat off as long as she did^ 
with such close sail — incredible that she could carry 
sail at all. But we can add some things which will 
give testimony to the violence of the blow. When 
the weather moderated^ we stood into the harbor, 
and found that the vessels that outrode the storm 
had housed their masts, and were pitching and 
heaving, as if they would tear themselves away 
from their moorings. Seventeen vessels in the har- 
bor, mostly American, dragged anchors, during the 
gale, and stranded on the side of the bay where 
the French army was then encamped, and were 
burned. A large Spanish prison ship, full of French 
soldiers, was driven ashore, and saved by their own 
countrymen. The inhabitants said there had not 
been such a storm on that coast for twenty years. 
The people saw us struggling without before night 
came on, and they said, ^^That poor crew will be 
rolling among the rocks before morning." When 
we give these cases of narrow escape, we do not 
mean that they were the only blows we had to en- 
counter. We have had storms upon storms, and have 
been frightened ways without number. But there 
are other things we had to grapple with besides 
storms. One of the evils incident to a sea-faring 
life, is that of being put on short allowance. 

True, it is not of frequent occurrence. We never 
realized it but once. The captain had determined 
to run down the trades on his return voyage, and 



84 



THE HELM. 



"we soon got into a mild climate, where we had 
almost uninterrupted clear weather overliead — 
weather very similar to our Indian Summer of the 
"West; but the great botheration was, we had no 
wind. "Week after week, with an occasional paren- 
thesis, our fine ship lay entirely becalmed. Some 
who have never been on the seas, regard a calm as 
being a season of desirable rest, notwithstanding it 
may be accompanied with the slight drawback of 
homesickness. But nothing is more annoying on 
the seas. Although at such a time the surface of 
the v/ater is as smooth as a mirror, yet the long 
and heavy swells continue; and as there is not air 
enough to fill the sails, so as to steady the ship, 
there is a continual and irregular rolling and tum- 
bling. The blocks and ropes are perpetually slam- 
ming against the standing rigging, and the sails 
flapping on the masts, and every thing above and 
below, fore and aft, jerking and surging, in spite of 
all the elects and lashings that human ingenuity 
can devise. It seems as if all inanimate appurten- 
ances on board have risen up in wild rebellion, as 
though to avenge themselves for all the straining 
and hauling they have endured from time to time. 
It is a perfect jubilee of misrule with blocks and 
tackles, and all their allies. The sailor-boy on the 
yard-arm, jerked and twisted as he is, sees the sail 
stealthily falling back toward him; he thinks he 
m.ay control its gravity by a slight slue; but it 
gives a sudden rasp across his knuckles, the tears 



STORMS AND SHORT ALLOWANCE. 85 



spring from his eyes^ lie grinds his teeth^ and while 
he is in the act of shaping a ripsneezer — half curse, 
half prayer — the leech sweeps back like lightning, 
raking unmercifully the whole vertebral column, 
and tossing his tarpaulin sportively on the blue 
waves, with the cheers and laughter of the whole 
crew, who are hungry for the slightest incident that 
might break upon the monotony of the incessant 
clattering; while poor Jack, clapping his hand to 
his maintop, is right glad to find that his scalp is 
left behind. Sometimes, from the mast-head, we 
would see a beautiful stripe of wind, far away to 
the larboard or starboard, and some happy vessel 
booming along with all sail set; but notwithstand- 
ing all our whistling, and all our wooing, not a 
solitary pufi* would kiss our sails. A sickening 
ennui pervaded the crew, and all, from the captain 
to the cook, unnaturally longed for a driving 
tempest. 

After we had been out more than a month, the 
discontent of the crew Avas increased bv their to- 
bacco falling short. Those of liberal build, Avho 
had not been accustomed to chew their morsel 
alone, first began to feel the pressure. The foreign 
sailors, whose standing-rule was to take care of 
No. 1, held out longer, and speculated some on the 
necessities of their shipmates; but as the prospect 
became more dreary, they closed up their stocks 
against love or money. When we were called to 
dinner, some would hide their quids in the most 



86 



THE HELM. 



secret places they could find; but one peculiar 
quality of starvation is the sharpening of sight, and 
others would find these ^^old soldiers/' as they 
called them, and transfer them to a warmer berth. 
At last all was gone, and the crew, generally, sub- 
stituted oakum, or rope-yarn, for the precious weed. 

But after a while our provisions began to fail, 
and short allowance was proclaimed. Our water 
was not so much reduced; but as it was uncertain 
how long we might be detained, we were allowed a 
quart per day. This we thought would do; but we 
had not taken into consideration that a day was 
twenty- four hours, and that we would require as 
much drink in our long watches on deck at night 
as in the day-time. Well, as for our water, we 
would generally drink it all off" before sunset, and 
then be tormented with a burning thirst till the 
next day at noon, when our rations would be dis- 
tributed. 

Our meat allowance was still more spare. At 
dinner-time the meat was taken into the forecastle. 
Some just salt was appointed to cut it up into 
twelve equal pieces. This was spread out on a 
board. One of the apprentices was sent upon deck, 
the lid of the scuttle was drawn over, and the 
carver putting his knife on a piece, would say, 
'^Who shall have this?" The boy above would 
answer, ^^Long Jack." 

'^And who shall have this?" 
Tom— hog-face Tom." 



STORMS AND SHORT ALLOWANCE. 



87 



And so they would go on to the end of the mess ; 
and happy was he who got the fattest gob; for the 
share of one man, for twenty-four hours, was not 
larger than his thumb. 

After being out three months from the Land's 
End of England, Ave made the coast of America off 
Savannah. As soon as the rope was thrown to the 
pilot-boat, the crew, as with the voice of one man, 
said, ^^Have you any tobacco?" Plenty — plenty," 
said the pilot, and he soon handed up about a 
pound of nigger-heads, as they were called in those 
days. Then the pump was put into the water-cask, 
the kid well filled, the bread-bag replenished, and 
the songs and laughter of merry-hearted men were 
heard in the fore peak. So, we may imagine, felt 
the poor prodigal, after he had abandoned the hog- 
trough, and found himself seated wuth his parents 
and sisters around the fatted calf, while the old 
homestead shook with music and gladness. And 
happier — yea, almost infinitely — feels the poor sin- 
ner, Avhen, redeemed from the husks and vanities of 
the AYorld, he first tastes the celestial riches of re- 
deeming grace and dying love. 

Thank God, there is no need of short allowance 
in the old Ship of Zion; for she is laden with the 
bread and water of life, and the great Captain says, 
^^Eat, 0 my friends, and drink abundantly, 0 my 
beloved! In my presence is fullness of joy, and at 
my right hand there are pleasures forever more." 
Yes, her breezes are gales of love, and her calms 



88 THE HELM. 

are calms indeed. Her spirit-rations are of the 
wine of the kingdom; and well may the poet say 
of that 

" New life it sheds througli dying hearts, 
And cheers the drooping mind, 
Vigor and joy its juice imparts, 
Without a sting behind:' 

Come on board, fellow-sinners, and eat, that you 
may live forever; and drink, that you may thirst 
no more. It is true, that while we are in this dis- 
ordered world, we may suffer, physically, starvation, 
or even shipwreck; but our souls may feed and 
feast upon the promises of God; and as it regards 
our bodily sufferings, we may say — 

"Lord! what are all our sufferings here, 
If thou but count us meet 
With that enraptured host to appear, 
And worship at thy feet?" 



SECOND MATE 



— PRIVATEERING. 



89 



VI. 

SECOND MATE— PRIVATEERINO. 

Having spent several years in acquiring a knowl- 
edge of seamanship^ under promising circumstances 
I went out second mate of a bris; owned in Boston. 
The captain and the crew, Avith the exception of 
myself, were all New England men. I soon saw a 
great difference between them and Southern sailors. 
The sailors employed in the South are generally 
citizens of the world, with few local attachments — 
their home, if they have any, upon the sea. The 
Yankee crew is often an association of neiQ:hbors, 
having abiding habitations on the land, and sympa- 
thies clinging around institutions on shore ; and their 
voyages are more like speculative enterprises than 
an unconditional lifetime business. They w^ill talk 
about deacons and sextons, and never fora:et thanks- 
giving day, but distinguish it by large batches of 
sweetcake, and plenty of codfish. Each man must 
have a suit of long clothes to go ashore in. The 
Southern sailor glories in his sea-rigging. There is 
more familiarity between the officers and men on 
board our Northern ships than would be tolerated 
South. The captain of our brig was an elderly 



90 



THE HELM. 



man, and had seen mucli service in the West India 
trade and coastwise^ and was a good sailor; but he 
was very deficient in education. He could scarcely 
write so as to be understood, and I soon saw he was 
very bungling in making his daily calculations. I 
continued to keep my journal — indeed, it was now 
my official duty to do so. When we were pretty 
well on in our voyage, he said one evening, ^^Mr. 
L., you have been looking over your reckoning. 
How near do you suppose we are to land, and 
wha.t point would we reach standing on our present 
course?'' I answered, according to my reckoning, 
we are near land, and keeping the course we are 
now on, we ought to make Silly about twelve o'clock 
to-night. At this he started up, and said contempt- 
uously. Silly! you must be a great navigator, 
indeed, and you are out in your distance by two 
hundred miles; and then on this course she would 
run pretty well up the British channel." This was 
said before the man at the helm, and I considered 
it insulting, but there was no redress. 

He retired into the cabin, and having the watch 
on deck, I kept a bright look-out. Being a young 
man, I did not expect to be very correct in my 
reckoning; and I knew that some old captains were 
sometimes as much as two hundred miles out in 
their distance. While studying on these matters, a 
bright light flashed up ahead, and in a moment it 
vanished — returned — vanished. It was with tumult- 
uous delight I stepped into the cabin and roused up 



SECOND MATE 



— P 11 1 V A T E E R I N G . 



91 



the captain. What s the matter, Mr. L. ?" Silly 
light, sir." ^^Why will you persist in that, Mr. L.? 
How do you know it is Silly light, sir?" '^Because 
it is a revolving light." 

'^What do you mean by a revolving light?" 

^^It revolves or turns, so as to appear and dis- 
appear alternately." 

He bustled up on deck just as the light was in 
all its brilliancy; but when it disappeared he 
laughed and said, Where is your Silly now? It s 
the light of a ship bobbing up and down in the 
seas." He had hardly said this before it flashed up 
again. 

^^Mr. L., have you ever seen this light before?" 

^^Yes, twice. There is no light like it on all the 
English coast. Look at the chart, and you will 
have to give it a wider berth^ or be a wreck before 
morning." This awakened him. I have ahvays be- 
lieved if he had been alone in navigation the brig- 
would have been laid a wreck. On his return he 
claimed to be the best sailor, but said; "ISlr. L. is 
the best navigator." 

As preparatory to the return-passage, the captain 
had all his empty beef-barrels filled with fresh water, 
as he supposed he was deficient in w^ater-casks. We 
did not blame him for doing so, in case of emerg- 
ency. But in open disregard of the old sailor- 
proverb, ^^Use the best first, and you will always 
have the best," he ordered that the beef-barrels 
should be broached first; and as the voyage was 



92 



THE HELM, 



short we used no other water. The consequence 
was, the whole ship's company was afflicted with a 
violent diarrhea. It fastened on me, without inter- 
mission, for three years. On our return the captain 
was sick, and heavy duties rested on me. On making 
the coast we had to beat and knock about in almost 
constant snow-storms, till in a great measure ex- 
hausted. When we arrived I received the first sam 
of money, of much account, which I had ever 
earned. 

"When we returned, we found that our Govern- 
ment had passed the non-intercourse law, interdict- 
ing commerce with both England and France. 
Still some of our merchantmen would clear out, and 
manage by spurious papers to evade the law. One 
of our merchants sent for me, and proposed my 
taking the command of one of his vessels. I told 
him plainly that I would undertake nothing that 
involved perjury, let consequences be what they 
might. Immediately the war followed. There I 
was like a fish out of water. I can not convey to 
the reader, unless he has experienced it, the sick- 
ening ennui that takes possession of the sailor after 
he has been a few weeks on shore. It is this which 
principally continues the supply and unbroken suc- 
cession. After dreadful disasters at sea, it is amus- 
ing to hear the unalterable resolves of the forecastle. 
One will say, Bloody end to me, if I am ever 
caught on sea again, if ever I put my foot on land. 
Why should I be knocked about all my days, living 



SECOND MATE — 



PEIVATEEEINa. 



93 



a dog's life, and no thanks for it ? Why, look at 
the farmer ! if it storms, he can get under shelter 
Avith his wife and cubs, and can look out of his 
cabin and laugh at old Boreas — ^blustering railer !' 
What a happy life I" 

Farmer!" says another, ^4ie 's a gentleman, I 
can tell you ; and it 's because "we are his lackeys 
to carry his produce at the expense of life and 
limb. I would rather be his servant, and carry 
guts to a bear, than to live this dog-life." 

And thus they will grovd on, and resolve and 
re-resolve — the whole crew, going home — to dip 
their feet in salt water no more. But, after they 
have been ashore four weeks, the prettiest farm in 
the country could not hold them, as a general 
thing. ^^Come, boys — who's for blue water?" 

I felt this lonoins; for the sea a2:ain. Life 
'seemed stripped of all its charms. I could not, 
just then, get a place in the navy that could meet 
my aspirations, or do justice to the feelings of my 
family connections. Then came in the well-timed 
temptation, to seek a prize-master's berth in. a 
privateer. I saw plainly — with my religious edu- 
cation it could not be otherwise — that it was, mor- 
ally speaking, a dirty business; and I shall ever 
adore a merciful Providence that so strangely and 
mercifully opened up for me a Avay of escape. 
While waiting in a seaport, expecting a very suc- 
cessful privateer to come in from her cruise, with 
the prospect of getting a prize-master's office^ I 



94 



THE HELM. 



received a letter from home^ stating that all my 
young friends were forming a volunteer company^ 
and were urgent for me to join them. This touched 
a nobler chord in my heart; so I stuck a cockade 
in my hat^ and returned home. 

Have not Christian nations^ at least, arrived at 
that point of moral science and international hon- 
esty, that should induce them to abandon the prac- 
tice of authorizing the shameful enterprise of pri- 
vateering during war — a mode of reprisal that 
brings neither profit nor glory to any government; 
but affliction, and ofttimes ruin, to thousands of 
private citizens, who have no more share in the 
injuries perpetrated by their nation than the birds 
that fly over their heads. 

Privateering is robbery. No government can issue 
any kind of letters or parchments that can divest 
it of this character in the view of high Heaven. 

When a privateer takes a prize, the captives, 
generally, are exposed to as much insult and out- 
rage as is generally inflicted by a pirate; with the 
lone exception of being made to walk the plank — 
a thing which no civilized people would tolerate. 

The victors generally strip their prisoners of their 
personal baggage, their change, their watches, their 
clothes, down to their shirts and pantaloons, and 
even if these strike their fancy, they will take 
them in exchange for some of their cast-off duds, 
if that may be called exchange,' where one party 
is bound to submission without any alternative. 



SECOND MATE — PRIVATEEKING. 95 



It may be saicl^ what can you expect of sucli un- 
principled buccaneers as commonly man a privateer ? 
But the whole responsibility does not rest with 
them. With all their natural and acquired taste 
for plunder and carnage^ they would be compara- 
tively harmless^ but for the impulse of those who 
have fitted them out^ and who claim the heft of 
the plunder. And who are they ? Most frequently 
merchants^ who embrace this opportunity of meanly 
robbing on the high seas, those with whom they 
formerly stood in friendly and commercial relations, 
wuth whom thev have for a series of vears carried 
on an honest and lucrative trade. They make no 
other apologies for their infamous robberies than 
that the Government has legalized them, and then 
they laugh heartily at the fogy fanatics wdio mum- 
ble about a higher law. 

While privateering inflicts much suffering on the 
unoffending citizens of the enemy, it has a very 
disastrous reaction on the nation that institutes 
and supports it. 

It lessens the dignity of a government. What 
civilized nation in this day Avould tolerate the prac- 
tice of its army prosecuting the indiscriminate 
plunder of the citizens of a country through which 
they might be marching in triumph? When Gen- 
eral Harrison landed on the shores of Canada, he 
issued general orders forbidding his soldiers to 
touch or destroy the property of the inhabitants. 
The battalion of volunteers to which we belonged, 



96 



THE HELM. 



although they had been nearly twelve months in a 
wilderness^ under great privations, marched every 
now and then under trees bending down with 
the most delicious peaches. As these would rattle 
against our helmets, we endured temptation; but 
a proud national glory swelled our bosoms, under 
the magnificence of the scene. But what right have 
we to plunder on the seas, more than on the land? 

Patriotism is the most diminutive motive lurking 
in the bosom of a privateersman. He fights for 
himself, and not for his country. Indeed, he chooses 
not to fight at all, provided that unarmed and de- 
fenseless game can be found; and it is only when 
by fog or mishap he falls in with an armed enemy, 
that he is compelled to show his teeth, and then 
no longer than he can devise a way of escape. 

We were acquainted with a captain, who in the 
war of 1812 commanded a privateer, which met 
with singular success. He was at one time unin- 
tentionally involved in a dreadful conflict, and ob- 
tained a bloody victory. After the heat of battle 
was over, and when he . passed along the decks and 
saw them strewed with the dead and wounded, deep 
remorse seized his spirit. When he reflected that 
all this murder and waste of life was for the avowed 
purpose of accumulating spoil, he was filled with 
compunction, then repentance ; and, happily for him., 
a repentance not to be repented of. He scudded 
for his native shores, abandoned the privateer, and 
became a humble follower of Christ. 



SECOND MATE — P R I V A T E E K I N a . 97 



AVhile lie had notliino: to do but to rob the un- 
armed and unresisting, his eyes were closed to 
the enormity of the crime ; but this profusion of 
blood and screaming agony awoke him to the guilt 
and madness of his warfare. 

The privateer is a school of robbery^ a sink of 
pollution to poison subjects and to scatter fire- 
brands, incendiaries, and rottenness, through a whole 
nation. It cost the United States more money to 
sweep the Gulf Stream of pirates^ in time of peace, 
than all her privateers had taken during the war. 

And when we see a government authorizing its 
citizens to take^ sink, burn, or destroy on the high 
seas, we think of the advice given to the Philip- 
pian jailer — ''Do thyself no harm." 

It would certainlv be to the interest and s^lorv 
of all nations to unite in putting away this detest- 
able practice. 

9 



98 



THE SWORD. 



•VII. 

S O L D I E R ■ L I F E . 

When the news of Hull's surrender reached the 
patriotic town of Petersburg, in Virginia, it over- 
whelmed the whole population with indignation and 
sorrow. Some of the most popular young men, 
with martial music, and the American ensign, 
paraded the streets, and with impassioned appeals 
called on their youthful associates to march to the 
rescue. The scene that followed was soul-thrilling 
to the patriot. Promising young men sprung their 
counters, and fell into the ranks. Students of med- 
icine and law shoved aside their volumes, suffi- 
ciently uninteresting before, but now made abso- 
lutely irksome by the ceaseless din of war, and 
rushed to the standard. The mechanic threw the 
uplifted hammer from his hand to swell the train. 
The placid farmer rode to town to behold the mad- 
ness of the people, but took the epidemic^ and fell 
in. And in a few days a company of one hundred 
and four, richly uniformed, offered themselves to 
the Grovernment to serve twelve months under the 
banner of the brave Harrison. No married man 
was admitted into their ranks. There is no inci- 



SOLDIER-LIFE. 



99 



dent of merely a terrene nature that ever so 
swelled our bosom^ as did our departure from that 
lovely town — the bright scene of all our juvenile 

joys. 

At an early hour in the day the company marched 
to '^Center Hill/' which overlooked the town. 
There they were met by a procession of women; 
while two elect ladies, bearing a stand of colors, 
richly and tastefully ornamented, presented them to 
the company, with an appropriate address. Being 
now all ready, with our knapsacks on our backs, 
and all accoutered for the perilous campaign, we 
marched down through the town, to the plaintive 
tune of 

" The girls we 've left behind us." 

The doors, windows, and side-walks were crovv^ded 
with our friends, our parents, and our weeping sis- 
ters. But the severest cut of all was as we wheeled 
down into Bolingbrooke. At that corner the princi- 
pal body of the inhabitants had assembled for the 
purpose, as it seemed, of giving us a few parting 
cheers. But they had not counted the conflict. It 
is true, they simultaneously lifted their hats; but 
their trembling lips grew^ pale, their arms fell pow- 
erless to their sides, and a silent shower of tears 
betrayed the true position of their souls. This was 
a season of deep sorrow; but there was a magna- 
nimity in the affliction that seemed to bear us up. 
Many of our friends followed us several miles, in 
carriages^ on horseback, and on foot; but it only 



100 



THE SWOED. 



served to spring our tears afresh, by a second and 
more personal farewell. 

The first night we encamped in a beautiful grove 
near Ware-Bottom Church. On the next day we 
made our entry into Richmond. As we drew nigh 
the city^ all the troops turned out to escort us in. 
And^ surrounded with prancing cavalry^ the min- 
gling music of conflicting bands^ drumS; and trum- 
pets^ covered with clouds of dust, and, as our simple 
hearts thought, with glory too, we entered the cap- 
ital. We were soon marched to a neighboring grove, 
where we sat down, in military order, to the festive 
board. Among the first visitors at our quarters 
was the pious Jesse Lee, who, in almost every sol- 
dier, recognized the son of some highly-esteemed 
friend. He was solicited to give us a sermon. To 
this he readily agreed. On the appointed day we 
marched unarmed to the church, which was well 
filled with citizens and soldiers. After the prelim- 
inary services, he took for his text, Shall your 
brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?" To 
show how even religious minds are tinged with the 
prevailing contagion, in times of special excitement, 
we will slightly advert to his course. In the intro- 
duction he solemnly protested against the spirit of 
war — offensive war — such wars as were undertaken 
to aggrandize a throne, to acquire territory, or to 
satiate the thirst for military glory. But, first, he 
proved — of course very easily to us — that the pres- 
ent war was a rare exception. England had more 



SOLDIEE-LIFE. 



101 



than once smitten us on the right cheek, and we 
had as often turned unto her the left. Our Gov- 
ernment had shown a singular example of Christian 
forbearance, till forbearance had ceased to be a 
virtue. The wellbeing, the very existence of our 
nation depended on honorable resistance. Every 
citizen was an integral part of the social confeder- 
acy — he was a partaker of all the immunities and 
blessings of civil government — he was protected in 
his person, property, and character, and is relig- 
iously bound to afford his quota of support. The 
powers that be are ordained of God, yea, they are 
his ministers, appointed for this very thing, and 
bear not the sword in vain. Therefore, '^render 
unto Cagsar the things that are Csesar's." Secondly, 
he showed the spirit in which war should be waged. 
Here he descended to all the minutise of the sol- 
dier's duty and conduct; and he gave the boys 
abundance of godly advice, and showed very clearly 
that, as handsomely equipped as we were, we were 
lacking in a very important article of defense — 
'Hhe armor of righteousness, on the right hand 
and on the left." The application of his subject he 
poured with scorching severity on the Richmond 
youth. With all the sarcastic and biting expression 
of which he was master — and he commanded a 
legion of that matter — he turned upon them and 
said, ^^Will ye sit here and see your brethren go to 
war?" And he preached not as one that beateth 
the air on that occasion ; for they forthwith organ- 



102 



THE SWORD. 



ized a volunteer company according to the same 
pattern. 

We took up our line of march and pressed on. 
The rumor of our coming, and the knowledge of 
our daily progress, enabled the people to spread 
their hospitalities in our way; so that, as far as 
eating was concerned, we frequently had nothing to 
do but march up to the rural board and partake of 
the smoking barbecue. Thus we '^sat down to eat, 
and rose up to play." The report of our history, 
as it rolled on before, became highly fabulous. 
'^Here comes the flower of Old Virginia! every man 
splendidly equipped at his own expense! They find 
their own baggage-wagons, bear their own expense, 
and there is n't a man among them with less than five 
hundred dollars — pin-money! Hurrah for Peters- 
burg! Old Virginia never tire!'' The people flat- 
tered us, and cheered us, till we became as proud as 
Lucifer. Our vanity, however, received an occa- 
sional check. One day a wagoner had much ado to 
hold his horses in a narrow pass till the company 
got by. He, however, found time to give us a very 
quizzical examination in detail; and as soon as he 
got sufficient searoom in the rear to give us a rak- 
ing fire, without fear of reprisal, he cried out at the 
top of his voice, ^^I have heard of you before, boys. 
They call you the flower of the land; but ye mind 
me of the old saying, ^Fine feathers make fine 
birds;' but if you an't as ugly a set of chaps as Old 
Virginia ever hatched, I '11 give you my head for a 



1 

i 



SOLDIER - LIFE. 



103 



football." We^ however, consoled ourselves with 
the surmise, that for this compliment we were more 
indebted to the w^ratli into Avhich his horses had 
wrought him, than to his skill in physiognomy. 
Indeed, the volunteers were generally handsome. 
Petersburg was always celebrated for its beauties, 
male and female. It is true we had some very 
hard cases, almost enough to make the eyes of the 
wagoner ache. Perhaps some comical lady reader, 
who knows the author, may say, ^^Yes, and we w411 
plank you down with the proscribed remnant." 
Well, be it so; but if so, w^e must, in justice to the 
town in this particular, say, we were not exactly 
born there; but those of the family who were, were 
right — good-looking. 

Monticello lay in our route, or rather we made it 
so lie, that we might have a sight of Virginia's 
favorite sage. We drew up, in military array, at 
the base of the hill on which the great house was 
erected. About half way down the hill stood a 
very homely old man, dressed in plain Virginia 
cloth, his head uncovered, and his venerable locks 
flowing in the wind. Some of our quizzical clique 
at once marked him as a fit subject of fun. ^^I 
wonder," said one, '^what old codger that is, with 
his hair blowing nine ways for Easter Monday." 
''Why, of course," said another, ^'it is the overseer, 
and he seems to be scared out of a year s growth. 
I suspect he never saw gentlemen volunteers 
before." But how were we astonished when he 



104 



THE SWOED. 



advanced to our officers and introduced himself as 
Thomas Jefferson-! The officers were invited in 
to a collation, while we were marched off to the 
tov/n, where more abundant provision had been 
made. 

The most interesting prospect we had was when 
we first came in view of the Blue Eidge. It ap- 
peared, in the distance, like a dark wall stretched 
along the horizon, and piled to the heavens. We 
could not but admire the scene; yet our pleasure in 
beholding it was considerably abated when we con- 
templated the Herculean task of scaling it on the 
morrow. At that distance it presented a uniform 
surface, and seemed to forebode an almost perpendic- 
ular ascent. Since that period we have been better 
qualified to estimate the value of the old proverb, 
^^Do not climb the mountain till you get to it." 
When we arrived at its base our road wound up a 
dark ravine. True, when we would look ahead, an 
insurmountable barrier seemed to stretch athwart 
our way; but when arrived at the apparent diffi- 
culty our tortuous pathway presented a gentle 
ascent, sometimes a comfortable level, and occasion- 
ally a little valley. And when w^e supposed our 
troubles were merely beginning, we received the 
happy announcement that w^e had surmounted all, 
and were wending our way down into the valley of 
the West. So it is in our journey through life. 
How often does the pilgrim fret about troubles 
ahead, which loom higher than the Blue Ridge — 



SOLDIER - LIFE. 105 

mountains which he may never reach; and even if 
he does^ the Lord leads him by a way that he had 
not known ! So the proverb is worthy of a binding 
in the Apocrypha at least. 

We had not traveled a hundred miles before the 
whole corps were called after a new nomenclature, 
our proper names being current only on the muster- 
roll. One was ''Old Hickory/"' another ''Plantation 
Joe/' another "Hog-face-Tom/' "Sinbad/' etc. 

From our childhood^ we had considered the Blue 
Eidge to be the grand scenery of all backwoods ro- 
mance. So it was natural for our straa^Qflins: men 
to expect a bear, or a tiger, or something else, to 
pounce upon them from every thicket. One day we 
came to an encampment, about a quarter of a mile 
below a plantation. One of the boys was left con- 
siderably in the rear. Pushing on through the 
dusk of the evening, he saw a hideous anim.al 
crouched up in the corner of the fence; and having 
no doubt concerning its genus, he blazed away Avith 
his musket, and running in full speed to the camp, 
he cried out, "Boys, I have killed a bear! I have 
Jcilled a bear Some said, "How do j^ou know it 
is a bear? have you ever seen one before?" "Xo, 
but, laws! didn't I see its bristles when it was all 
ready to spring upon me? and it was exactly like 
the pictures you 've seen in the primers. Certainly 
it is a bear, and we '11 and o-et it as soon as it is 
daylight." Aw^ay he went from camp-fire to camp- 
fire, boasting of his exploit. But before he got 



106 



THE SWOKB. 



through the lines an old farmer made his appearance 
at head-quarters, and claimed indemnity for an old 
black sow that one of the soldiers had shot. 

Except when passing places of notoriety, the com- 
pany proceeded in an informal march. On such 
occasions all the blunders and improprieties of the 
preceding day and night were canvassed in cate- 
chetical form. One, for instance, would cry out 
with a loud voice, '^Who tried to kiss that girl last 
night, and was shoved over into the wash-tub?" The 
whole line would respond, '^T. 0." ^^ Who shot the 
old sow, and said it was a bear?" ^^Why, 0. W." 
From such popular decisions there was no appeal. 

But the report, ^^They are coming! they are 
coming!" climbed the mountains, and rolled on 
before us; and the hospitality of our countrymen 
was prodigious. Pressing on by the way of the 
Springs, down the Kanawha, and crossing the Ohio 
at Mt. Pleasant, we at last arrived at Chillicothe. 
Here the Legislature, which was then in session, 
gave us a splendid dinner, which was quickly fol- 
lowed by one from the citizens. Here the festivals 
of Virginia were thrown entirely in the shade; for 
we had not only the substantials, the bacon and 
cabbage of the Old Dominion, but fowls and turkeys, 
pies, tarts, custards, and sweetmeats, and floating- 
islands, and all the luxurious variety that the gen- 
erous daughters of the Buckeye State could devise. 
Surely, we thought, there was nothing like the 
glory and honor of war. But, alas! it was the lus- 



SOLDIEE-LIFE. 



107 



cious finale of all our military glory! It is true, 
we had fecl^ and feasted, and frolicked for a few 
short weeks, and our march thus far had been like 
a triumphal procession. But 0, how short our tri- 
umph! how vulgar our happiness! 

" We ate — drank — slept. What then ? 
We ate, and drank, and slept again." 

And this was the total amount of all our joy; and 
0, how dearly bought! 

Our Indian Summer'' was now gone — our ^^paw- 
wah" days were over. As we left Chillicothe the 
bleak North-Wester began to blow, the rains de- 
scended, and the snows drove till the face of the 
whole country was clothed with the white, cold 
mantle of Winter. Through mud, and ice, and 
storms, and swollen streams we forced our way to 
Franklinton, which was then the head-quarters of 
the army. For the twelve succeeding months our 
tender volunteers, most of whom had not passed 
their twentieth year, and in their fathers' houses 
'^had never waked but to a joyful morning/' V\'ere 
exposed to labors, dangers, deprivations, afflictions, 
and deaths, of which their youthful minds had never 
conceived. Often did they realize the prodigal 
state — the prodigal recollections, "in my father's 
house there is bread and to spare." But it was not 
for them, but for Uncle Sam, to say when they 
might arise and return to the fathers and mothers, 
and brothers and sisters. 0, these words were 



108 



THE SWOBD. 



precious in those days. But we now had no abiding 
city — no May-days and holydays. We moved on 
through the plat of Columbus, where there was, at 
that time, only one house erected — albeit, we left 
Franklinton in its meridian glory. Through most 
intolerable roads, and severe weather, we reached 
the town of Delaware, which was even then a hand- 
some village. But before reaching this desirable 
spot, we were frequently stalled, and our baggage- 
wagons broken down. Delaware was the ultima 
thule of American civilization, as far as our route 
was concerned. We passed only one cabin between 
it and Sandusky. The plains of Crawford presented 
nothing but a wild waste of crusted snow, through 
which we marched with excessive labor. 

When we reached the embodied host, on the bank 
of the Sandusky, our little band seemed to mingle 
as an atom in the long-extended line. At day-break 
the whole force was mustered, in rank and file, on 
the high banks of the river. The united music of 
the army passed down the line; but truly it was 
music of melancholy sort." It was not the lively 
tune of Yankee Doodle," ^^The Soldiers Eeturn," 
or any of those rapturous airs so sweetly played at 
the recruiting rendezvous, to lure the inebriate to 
his doom; but it was an inexplicable breathing of 
war and blood, which, in unison with the desolation 
around, forced us, in one moment, to realize all that 
we had ever read or listened to of Eevolutionary 
lore. Our feast of marrow and fat things" had also 



SOLDIER - LIFE. 109 

fled; and ^^soldie^'s fare" was the order of the day. 
When our rations were first issued, while every man 
was hearty, and our appetites keen, our allowance 
was beggarly enough. But after a few cases of 
sickness and spells of hypo, our stores began to ac- 
cumulate, and we had enough provision, such as it 
was ; but it was not the hams of Virginia, or the tur- 
keys and tidbits of Ohio, but fresh beef and pork, and 
that frequently without a dust of salt. The bread, 
which was sometimes made of damaged flour, was 
truly disgusting. This, however, was a small item 
in the registry of our sufl"erings. While encamped 
at Sandusky, it was issued in general orders that 
the chaplain would preach on the Sabbath. Our 
readers can scarcelv imaQ-ine wdiat interest this 
waked up in our ranks. Even the most irreligious 
have a kind of property or claim in the Gospel that 
they are not sensible of till the privilege is appar- 
ently clean gone forever. At the appointed hour, 
the entire army was marched into the hollow square, 
the Greneral and his staff in the center. The preach- 
er took for his text, ^^And the Lord said unto 
Moses, Speak unto the children of Israel that they 
go forward." He flrst gave a historical account of 
the Israelites, and held them up as a lucid example 
of all that is martial, patriotic, and glorious. He 
secondly made a most bombastic application of the 
text to our militia, warmly exhorting them to cross, 
not Jordan^ but the line^ and to take possession, not 
of Canaan^ but Canada: ^^The bones of the gal- 



110 



THE SWORD. 



lant Crawford, which lie bleaching in yonder plain, 
cry out, move .forward. The blood of the brave Mont- 
gomery from the walls of Quebec cries out, march 
forward." And thus he went on till his effusions 
were found to be hateful; for whatever merit his 
speech would have possessed, coming from a proper 
source, and on a proper occasion, as a Gospel ser- 
mon, it was monstrous. And this he might have 
perceived by the simultaneous artificial coughing 
that pervaded the whole square. The General ap- 
peared to be mortified. We were pleased to find, 
in after years, that he hated all such untimely and 
misplaced zeal. He has been heard to say that a 
chaplain is an indispensable officer in the army; 
but no post, no department requires a more exem- 
plary and evangelical minister. 

It was midnight, the ground covered with snow, 
the heavens profusely flaking down additional sup- 
plies, and our heavy-laden tents were rocked to and 
fro by the howling winds, when the troops were 
suddenly aroused by a call to arms. Orders were 
given for us to buckle on our knapsacks and blank- 
ets, and to be ready to march at a moment's warn- 
ing. In a few minutes we were plunged into the 
dark and almost interminable forest, bound through 
the Black Swamp to reenforce Harrison, who, after 
Winchester s defeat, had fallen back on the Carry- 
ing Eiver. It was a dark, dark night. An expe- 
rienced pilot led the van, and the whole detachment 
followed in Indian-file, every man taking care to 



SOLDIEE-LIFE. 



Ill 



keep in feeling relation to liis predecessor. We 
plunged and floundered on through brush and brier, 
deep creekS; and rising waters, mingled with drift 
and ragged fragments of ice. Like Paul and his 
shipmates, ^Sve longed for the day;" but when 
light broke upon us, it seemed to augment our 
wretchedness by calling into painful exercise an ad- 
ditional sense, and greatly enlarging the scene of 
desolation. We had frequently to pass through 
what was called, in the provincialism of the front- 
iers, '^swales" — standing ponds — through which the 
troops and packhorses which had preceded us had 
made a trail of shattered ice. Those swales were 
often a quarter of a mile long. They were, more- 
over, very unequal in their soundings. In common 
they were not more than half-leg deep; but some- 
times, at a moment when we were not expecting it, 
we suddenly sank down to our cartridge-boxes. 
While fording such places our feet would get so be- 
numbed that Ave seemed to be walking on bundles 
of rags; and it was really a luxury to come to a 
parenthesis of mud and mire, for then we could feel 
a returning glow of vitality. Occasionally a poor 
packhorse would fall down in his track — if tracks 
there were — to rise no more forever. It was heart- 
rending to see them roll their flashing eyes indig- 
nantly on the passing soldiers, as though to rebuke 
the madness of the people in driving to such an 
extremity of sufi'ering. Droves of hogs, which had 
been abandoned to the wilds, grim, gaunt, and hun- 



112 THE SWOED. 

gry as the grave, were squealing tlirough tlie 
woods, and rooting up the snow; and under the 
relentless scourge of war the whole creation seemed 
to groan in pain. We passed one of our subaltern 
officers, who was trembling like an aspen, and be- 
seeching every soldier for a dram, declaring that he 
would perish in a few minutes if not supplied. 
Poor fellow! he had been in the habit of keeping 
himself always under the influence of liquor, and 
his supply had failed him in this day of affliction. 
By draining several canteens, he obtained enough 
to drag him through the horrors of the day. Some 
may think that we are exaggerating, but several of 
our young men afterward fell victims to diseases 
which were engendered by the march through the 
Black Swamp, 

The reaching of Hull's road was a grand desider- 
atum. It is true we had never heard it spoken of, 
by those who had seen it, except in terms of unqual- 
ified execration ; but still it was a road^ and there 
was a kind of redeeming sound in the phrase that 
struck pleasantly on the drum of our ear. At last 
a triumphant peal in the van announced its appear- 
ance. We were not slow in rushing to the point of 
observation. But, 0 ! the burst of indignation that 
followed! Sure enough the Hull was there, and an 
occasional patch of corduroy, and there had evi- 
dently been an opening made through the dense 
forest; but the road, if there ever had been any, 
had been mostly washed away before our time. 



S 0 L D I E p. - L I F E . 



113 



The first night and day we traveled^ through all 
those disadvantages^ thirty miles. At a late hour 
we approached an arena which bore a strong resem- 
blance to terra firma ; and scraping away the snow, 
we spread our blankets under the naked canopy of 
heaven ; for at the time of our departure' from San- 
dusky we had left our tents standing, with all our 
camp equipage. How long we lay that night in a 
shivering condition before we fell asleep- we could 
never ascertain; but I awoke in the morning from 
pleasant dreams^ and in a profuse perspiration, and, 
as I thought, under a heavy press of blankets; but 
when I threw up my arm to take an observation, 
and to see how the land lay, an avalanehe of virgin 
snow, which had silently ministered to my comfort 
during the night, tumbled into niy bosom, and 
quickly roused me to a recollection of my proper 
latitude and true bearings, and I found, by calcula- 
tion, that I was bounded north, south, east, and 
west, by the Black Swarnp. 

Eeader, bear with me, but I begin to feel sick 
about my heart at the mere recollection of such 
scenes. And besides all this I am sensible that I 
have written enough for one chapter ; but it would 
savor of impoliteness to leave the readers of this 
narrative so abruptly in the quagmire. Perhaps I 
might give a more ship-shape finish by setting 
them to read a short annual written by my brother, 
which I received in those troublous days, and which 
lightened up my own spirits while committing it to 



114 



THE SWORD. 



memory. It was in perfect tune with the times. 
It runs thus: 

Since now, my patrons, we have reason 

exchange the best salutes of the season — 
Since fate has granted that together 
One year of wonders we should weather, 
Mid comets, earthquakes, storms and all, 
Along unhurt our course to roll; 
And thereby hang some tales of humor, 
But now, alas! put out of rumor. 
By one continual din of war. 
And heroes marching near and far, 
To dress Montgomery's tomb ; 
And brigadiers of sorry doom ! 
Then Harrison, in awful might, 
Boldly rushing to the fight, 
Bent on purpose grand and glorious, 
Eis banners move in course victorious. 
Not so was he who led the van, 
A route the muse could never scan. 
Through many a street and many an alley — 
Through many a wild, umbrageous valley, 
His standard boastful threats conveyed. 
And loud to arras the drumsticks played. 
The sons of spunk obey the call, 
And shoulder musket, one and all — 
To Campus Martins bend their way, 
And soon are formed in proud array, 
And hail the mighty battle day ! 
Before the lines a curious creature. 
With dappled shirt and hickory feature. 
And pipe of true Moravian mold. 
Thus broke in accents big and bold : 

I am ; believe me, 't is no rant — 

I am your noble commandant. 

'T is true, I 'm not in style of war. 

But that is well accounted for: 

I 've lent my coat — I 've lost my sash — 

My epaulets are in the wash — 

My sword I do not choose to trust 

To run the hazard of a rust; 



SOLDIEK-LIFE. 



For bricrht it is, and well vou know, 
That while it 's mine it shall be so. 

These Indians look too nation red ; 
Our stomachs, too, are scarce of bread ; 
And, what is worse, we have forgot 
To bring the powder and the shot. 
So ground Tour arms, ye dirtv pack ! 
Let Dr, Eustis get vou back." 
So spite of frown, and spite of pout, 
The word 's given, "To the sneak about/" 
Go seek your hero at his home — 
Go seek him on the ocean foam ; 
There British guineas can not gull, 
And there Columbia owns her Hull. 



116 



THE SWOED. 



VIII. 

SIEOE OF FORT MEIOS. 

We were -writing something about Hull's road. 
It was certainly an extraordinary structure. Here 
and there we found a fragment of rail-road^ not of 
the modern, but Gothic order. But for the most of 
the way the rails had been routed in disorder by 
the swales^ and scattered in every direction and 
various forms, angular and triangular, vertical and 
horizontal, visible and invisible, so that our ankles 
at times appeared to be extremely loth to acknowl- 
edge our footsteps. At other times we were scraped, 
and snagged, and railed. And then we would get 
our temper up and rail back again ; and it was rail- 
ing against railing. Then old General Hull came 
in for his share of blessings, and "Winchester was 
not forgotten. But our only hope was in progress; 
and after a forced march, which could find no pro- 
totype — as we believed — in the American Eevolti- 
tion, we joined the army on the banks of the Port- 
age. As we marched in every man was presented 
with a small glass of ^^high wine.'' When I drank 
my allowance, it produced an indescribable titilla- 
tion, reaching to the ends of my toes and fingers, 
and appeared to spread a new world upon my vision. 



SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 



117 



I have for many years been a strenuous advocate 
of the temperance cause ; but whenever I hear a 
lecturer sav that spirits have never done good under 
any circimistances, I deUberately enroll the dogma 
with clairvovance^ witchcraft, and similar delusions. 
It is true that strong drink has seldom done good. 
And of all the drams that moistened my lips, before 
I embraced religion, that alone can I remember 
with complacency, because it was Scripturally 
administered — ^^to liim v:lio icas ready to perish.''' 
This is no argument for intemperance ; for what 
was that transient benefit in comparison with the 
wide-spread ruin which overwhelmed many of our 
company in after-life ? It was in the service that 
some were initiated into, and others confirmed in 
the habit of intemperance, which rapidly hurried 
them on to the most deplorable destiny. And we 
do most devoutly pray that the day may speedily 
come, when Temperance will evaporate the last 
intoxicating drop from earth by the brightness of 
her shining. 

It will be recollected that we had left all our 
private stores behind, and had to commence on a 
new issue of rations. Although the United Siiy^es 
owed us several successive back meals, yet these 
were silently repudiated, and our allowance by no 
means satisfied the demands of appetite. However, 
we had Q;round to lie on, and rousino:: fires to cheer 
us through the night. About midnight a sudden 
volley of cries, wailings^ and unearthly howlings 



118 



THE SWORD. 



broke from every quarter of the dense forest around 
us. The raw troops, who had never experienced 
any thing analogous, '^in the void waste or in the 
city full," took it for granted that all the northern 
tribes were charging upon us, front, flank, and rear, 
and they sprung to their feet. Pop ! pop ! pop ! 
went the sentinels. ^'To arms! to arms!" cried the 
officers; and in a few minutes all the brave reen- 
forcement was found in battle array. Just then an 
old veteran came snickering along the lines with 
his forefinger on his nose: ^^Boys, did you never 
hear the wolves howl before f It is wonderful how 
those false alarms, frequently repeated, strengthen 
the courage and improve the prudence of the sol- 
dier! This, the first, was perhaps the greatest 
alarm we had. It showed us how careless and how 
unprepared we were. The scrambling and scuffling 
in the dark, for our arms and accouterments, were 
truly ludicrous. The interruption of rest added 
keenness to our hunger, so that we were more than 
prepared for our scanty allowance next morning. 
The flour which each man received made a very 
respectable biscuit when kneaded. The great diffi- 
ci:^y seemed to be as to the modus operandi of 
cooking. Our culinary utensils were left behind, 
and we had not as yet been let into the Indian 
mode of twisting the dough around a stake, and 
setting it up before the fire to roast. After a brief 
consultation, we settled on the African method, and 
concluded that we could get our cakes through in 



SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 119 

the asli-pone style. So covering them cleverly with 
ashes and embers^ we were about to broil our pit- 
tance of meat, when the drum suddenly beat to 
arms. We buckled on our armor, hoping it was 
some new-fashioned morning drill, or that some 
general order was about to be promulged. It was 
in vain for the subalterns to pass down the line 
and say, Dress — dress — dress by the right 1" for 
Ave could not keep our eyes from glancing askance 
toward our smoking cakes, which we were fearful 
were dressino; too fast for the occasion. But what 
was our extreme disappointment when the luckless 
word came, and from high authority, Eight face! 
forward march!" Our legs, being as practiced as 
stage-horses', began to beat time; but our eyes, 
although carried away, still had independence 
enough to cast ^^many a longing, lingering look 
behind." Some of our boys, who seemed to be of 
that class who have a free pass through the world, 
^^blow high; or blow low," dodged into the bush, as 
we cleared the encampment, and returning to the 
fires, gathered a rich harvest of ash-pone and spare- 
ribs, and thus profited by the general calamity. 
The majority, however, had a very afflicting march, 
without tasting any food the whole day. The next 
point of importance which we reached was the 
Maumee, or the Miami of the Lakes. Here the 
army was halted aAvhile, as though to view the des- 
olate prospect around. On the opposite bank stood 
the ruins of the post that had lately been aban- 



120 



THE SWOED. 



doned. After a short consultation among the offi- 
cers^ we were marched down upon the frozen river, 
in solid order, with all our heavy ordnance and 
baggage, to proceed to the Foot of the Rapids, 
Here we were presented with a lovely road, that 
human ingenuity could not imitate. But we were 
somewhat in the condition of old Bob Armstead, 
who used to say, ^^When I was a young man, and 
was poor, and had nothing to eat, I had a beautiful 
set of teeth; but now I am old and rolling in plenty, 
not a tooth have I got/' So when we were strong, 
and had sufficient elasticity to march, we had no 
roads to march on. But now, when we were 
exhausted and starved, and could hardly drag one 
foot after the other, we had as beautiful a turnpike 
as Jack Frost could make. We were, however, 
helped by the philosophy of a good man, who, when 
he had the rheumatism, thanked the Lord it was 
not the gout ; and when he had the gout, he was 
thankful that it w^as not the gout and rheumatism 
together. Late in the day our route lay through a 
rich bottom, where there were about fifteen hund- 
red bushels of corn standing. As soon as we entered 
this inviting field the army broke in every direction, 
like a drove of frightened cattle. Deaf to the com- 
mands of our officers, and regardless of all military 
order, we tore down the precious ears, and filled 
our pockets and our bosoms till w^e were richly 
laden with the spoils of the field. With the musket 
in one hand, and an ear of corn in the other, we 



SIEaE OF FOBT MEIGS. 121 

marched on^ greedily devouring the unstinted sup- 
ply of a merciful Providence. No pound-cake ever 
tasted half so delicious, till the wire-edge of our 
starvation was worn off. We were amazed that we 
had lived so long in the world, and had never dis- 
covered before the transcendent luxury of raw corn. 
Toward evening, we arrived at the Foot of the 
Eapids, as it was then called. Here we were met 
by an appalling object. Our rangers had brought 
in the body of one who had a few days before left 
our camp for Detroit, in company with Doctor 
M'Heehan, under the protection of a v/hite flag. 
It seems they had stopped the first night on the 
banks of the Maumee, and taken up their lodging 
in an old cellar, which was all that remained of an 
improvement which once occupied the site. Here 
they were surprised by a party of Indians, the 
Doctor taken prisoner, and his companion shot and 
scalped. When we came up, we saw Major L., of 
the Virginia militia, spreading himself over the 
corpse, and with all the fervor and pathos of Mark 
Antony, addressing his men, and calling upon them 
to behold the cruelty of the savage foe, and to hate 
their red-coat allies who had prompted them to the 
revolting deed: Drink in — drink in the spirit of 
noble revenge ! stiffen your sinews, summon up your 
joints, and nerve your vengeful arms for deeds of 
mighty daring!" Seeing several men turn away 
sufiiciently infuriated, I marched up to see if I 

could be inspired with the same desirable ardor : 

11 



122 



THE SWOED. 



for it seemed to be in horrid harmony with the 
dreariness of the surrounding scenery. I looked 
down upon the corpse^ which wore all the freshness 
and bloom of life^ and contracted my muscles, and 
clinched my teeth, and held my breath, and put 
forth every device, mental and physical, in courting 
the furies, but all to no purpose. I felt no fell 
spirit of vengeance gnawing at my heart. Despite 
of my late supply of provender, the sensation of 
hunger was the dominant distress within. I saw- 
that it was sad butchery that had been perpetrated 
by naked savages, who had been goaded and hunted 
down themselves, like beasts of the forest. But the 
sight neither augmented nor diminished the princi- 
ple with which I set out — the amor patrice which I 
had drank in at my mother's breast — nor did it 
rouse me to emulate the barbarous example. And 
this patriotism sustained us long after Major L. had 
grounded his fury at his own peaceful fireside. 

Here it was determined to take up our Winter 
quarters. We formed a hollow square in a thick 
grove, on the most commanding hill. Wa then had 
to fell trees, and throw a breastwork around the 
whole army, before we were permitted tp ^'etire to 
rest. As it regards regular meals, they were fast 
going out of fashion; and that night supper was 
postponed. After we were suffered to ^ee to our- 
selves, each mess kindled a princely fire; for what- 
ever else might betide, we alv/ays had an enviable 
supply of wood. We then sat down, in doleful 



SIEGE OF FOET MEIGS. 



123 



plight, to parch corn; and we comforted each other 
by talking martially about Tapper's men, who had 
occupied that ground before us, and who had been 
driven to such straits as to eat roasted hickory 
roots. Our ambition rose no higher than parched 
corn, till a luckless epicure exclaimed, ^^Boys, did 
you ever hear of hog-meat and hominy?" ^^0! 
don't mention hominy; you will make us squeal 
right out." '^Well, sirs, it is not only mentionable, 
but it is highly feasible. Now, if you will only cast 
in a generous contribution of corn, we '11 borrow a 
camp-kettle, and make a royal mess of hominy." 
Having been partly raised on hominy,, we all un- 
derstood very well how to dispose of the good dish 
when cooked, but we had brought out no recipe 
concerning the preparation. However, it was de- 
cided, without a dissenting voice, that it must be 
boiled. Moreover, we knew that we had taken the 
first step right, according to Mrs. Glass — we had 
caught" the corn. So at it we went. All other 
business was suspended, and we laid as close siege 
to the camp-kettle as ever Edward, King of En- 
gland, did to Calais. Every hour or so we would 
dip up a spoonful to try it; but it really appeared 
that the longer we boiled it the harder it got. We 
persevered till day dav/ned upon us, and then, to 
our great mortification, found that we had not only 
lost our corn, but our night's rest. 

Our distressing march had closed; and for several 
subsequent weeks we tasted the labors and fatigues 



124 T/fj-: f-v/oj: 

of ;i, ':/j\<l\<:rH 'I tj^: tjv/.f;,-: v/oro (■Aii\)\< )y<A daily 

(■//<;!■■/ kjnd of v/ork 7/;j.:i riCC<^;B8ar/ to lorUf/ 

our |>o::f,^ v/tiiolj <;Ui\)V<i<-j-A rjirjo ;j/;r'o:-:^ Jxnd v/IjioIj^ 
wIj^-jj fjfjj.'Jjod^ 7/;x;-: o;j.lJod ^' I'ori Mc/iz/h.'' 'J'ljin nea- 
BO/i of \:i\a':[\\(; 7/;),:: /'oiJ';!/; v/jt.tj tj;j./d::tj o;-:[/;okj.I I y 
uy-, il 7;;j.:i j/j Uj^-, d^;pUj of V/j/jlor, ;j/;oorrjf>;j,fj iod 

7/itjj rrj;j,/jy i v;j.t,j^ri:i. Ilo7/oyor, our hodjo:: ;ojd 
f/jind - 7/f:r': v^;l •/ or/j [>j o y ^ ;d ^ 7/tiio!j r'o/jdor'od our 
oo/idjljorj \;\r pr^:r<:/';j,f Jo lo Uj;j.t, 7/1jjo1j \ii\]{\(;<\\\i\j;\'f 
l''Jlo7/^;d; \< )j;i,vj/);'; lirjj;,ljO'i Uj^: j^uhho >\,h<\ f^rj vato 
7/^rk 7/ljJoli 7/;ri /j<;ceBBary to /rj;j,ko our ^]u;ij-toni 
\.< )\^:va\ ,\(;^ jf uot ooiu for f,;xi;! 0^ a ;itato of" j/jdoi^:/joo* 
ruid 1 n;j/;l,j 7) 1.'/ ,';uooo^;d^;d tJj;).t 7/;-i,:i h i/di I y dolotonou.'-i 
\.\\<; wAAWj. TIj'; V/j/jI,':/- y/;j.;; urj u;:u;i.l!y Hov^-ro^ 
07^-jj orj Ujo } ron tj(;r;:. Ou': u rj for-l,u fj;jj.o :-:orj Ij uol 
fro/o ;),t Iji7, f>o;;)> \\\ \^-:::\\ 1Jj;uj 1,7/o Ijour-;-:, Wo horo 
tj;j,d op[/>/i,uni f,y of \<::.\a\\\'\ \\\\v.\:,\\'ja\ j/Jioy 

of Honjo fo/jd |);i,r':/jl,;:, 7/}io Ijjirjl. t,tj;j.l tlj<;y li;j.vo 
;i/-/:oi/»jJi;ili^.d ;i, ;,l,roko oi" f-'/;nor-;j.li;lj jp^ wti^-Ji Ujoy 
tiidf; iJi';)/- oljddr-on Iror/j iJj^; oorj l,;i.uiouH <Jj;--ordorH 
y/|jH;|j ^>o^;;j,':io/i;JI y vi;:il- Ui^tir- u^jrdj borljoor]. Nurri - 
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in/'- f-/>u/dj^ ;i,fjd oIJj'j" d i::l/-jfj[W:r;',^ wIjioIj o^t/rjo uporj 
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could not \'('M.('}\ Ujorn. '1 li^^y dH;d daily. TIjo 



SIEGE OF FOUT MEIGS. 



125 



mournful air of ^^Eoslin Castle" became the pre- 
vailing music of the day, while the sharp rifle-cracks 
of the platoon told how many were borne to their 
long home. A deadly homesickness overwhelmed 
our troops, and we believe a repentance of war was 
kindled in every bosom, from the highest to the 
lowest. 

Some stirring incident would occasionally occur, 
as a kind of ennui-breaker, and rouse us from our 
torpor. At one time our spies brought intelligence 
that a party of about seven hundred Indians were 
diverting themselves with a war- dance on the ice, 
near the mouth of the river. In the dusk of the 
evening, General Harrison, at the head of iSfteen 
hundred troops, started for the party, although not 
particularly invited. At a late hour in the night 
the blazing fires of the enemy appeared on the bank 
of the river. We were now wide awake. The day 
of battle, about which so much had been said, was 
now right before us. The detachment, thrown into 
a crescent, with the artillery in the center, cau- 
tiously approached. We found the fires burning 
bright with recent fuel; but the Indians had fled. 
This disappointment was probably owing to our im- 
prudence in marching on the river. It is said that 
an Indian, by laying his ear flat on the ice, can 
discover the approach of a large force five* miles 
distant. 

It was now announced that those who were sick 
or exhausted might tarry by the fires till morning. 



126 



THE SWORD. 



Some were so completely worn out that they not 
only accepted the boon^ but threw themselves down 
by the fires^ and, without a sentinel to guard the 
camp, fell into a profound sleep. For my own part, 
I felt that my strength was almost gone; but some 
very forcible questions presented themselves to my 
mind; such as, how far had the wily enemy re- 
treated? Might they not now be lurking in the 
dark forest before us, watching all our movements? 
Again I rubbed the crown of my head, and con- 
cluded to value my scalp at a higher price of suffer- 
ing than had yet been realized. It also occurred 
that I was not made of softer clay than my fellows, 
and that there was a point of endurance beyond 
which none could go — a point at which the officers 
themselves must succumb. So I would not report 
myself among either the sick, the lame, or the lazy. 
The General, being disappointed in the matter of 
the dance, concluded to proceed on to the Eiver 
Eaisin, and to bury our dead, who had been inhu- 
manly left on the field, and were now '^bleaching 
in the northern blast." He, therefore, sent back to 
Meigs for sleds, pickaxes, spades, etc., and the main 
body moved on. The frozen face of the river was 
an unbroken level. It had been put into excellent 
order by a previous sprinkle of snow. There was 
no impediment in our way to call for vigilance. 
The companies marched in very compact order, 
each man being partially sustained by his comrades. 
These circumstances, together with the uniform and 



SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 



127 



monotonous tread of the troops, acting on men so 
enervated, induced an unconquerable drowsiness, 
lumbers slept as they marched along. Some pla- 
toons, thus dozino\ so far divers^ed from their course 
as to lose their companies, and mix with strange 
columns. I not only slept myself, but had short, 
distinct dreams. In this way we marched all 
night. About day-break we began to approach the 
lake. The ice had evidently become softer. AVe 
pressed on till our way became quite sloppy. AVe 
persevered, however, till the wheels of our six- 
pounder broke through the ice. The expedition 
was then abandoned. The troops were marched to 
a projecting point of land, where we had a short 
intermission. About thirty minutes vrere spent in 
dozing or eating, as drowsiness or hunger prevailed, 
when we Avere again beat to arms, and marched 
back to our fort, where we arrived late in the even- 
ing, having marched sixty-four miles in twenty-two 
consecutive hours. The detachment was so pros- 
trated, that it was exonerated from all military 
duty for several days. 

The cheerless and wearisome months of Winter 
rolled heavily along. At last some faint indications 
of Spring began to appear. One afternoon, as num- 
bers were gathered together on the ^'parade," two 
strangers, finely mounted, appeared on the western 
bank of the river, and seemed to be taking a very 
calm and deliberate survey of our works. It was a 
strange thing to see travelers in that wild country, 



128 



THE SWOKD. 



and we commonly held such to be enemies^ till they 
proved themselves to be friends. So one of onr bat- 
teries was cleared forthwith, and the gentlemen 
were saluted with a shot that tore up the earth 
about them^ and put them to a hasty flight. If 
that ball had struck its mark much bloodshed might 
have been prevented; for we learned subsequently 
that our illustrious visitors were Proctor and Te- 
cumseh. The garrison was immediately employed 
in cutting deep traverses through the fort, taking 
down the tents, and preparing for a siege. The 
work accomplished in a few hours, under the excite- 
ment of the occasion, was prodigious. The grand 
traverse being completed, each mess was ordered to 
excavate, under the embankment, suitable lodgings, 
as substitutes for our tents. Those rooms were shot- 
proof, and bomb-proof, except in the event of a 
shell falling in the traverse, and at the mouth of a 
cave. This gave occasion, in the course of the siege, 
for an English oflScer, who had been taken prisoner, 
and returned on parole, to say to his general, ^^It is 
powder and shot thrown away to fire at that fort. 
I can compare the Americans to nothing but an 
army of ground-hogs. As soon as a sentinel cries, 
^Shot,' every man dodges under ground; and the 
ball has scarcely swept over the ground before they 
are on their feet again, inquiring into the damagCc" 
This observation of our prisoner was true, as it 
regarded that portion of our men who were not on 
duty for the time being. But the shot did consid- 



SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 



129 



erable damage to those who were necessarily at 
their posts. 

The above works were scarcely completed before 
it Avas discovered that the enemy^ under cover of 
nighty had constructed batteries, on a commanding 
hill, west of the river. There their artillery-men 
were posted; but the principal part of their army 
occupied the old English fort below. Their Indian 
allies appeared to have a roving commission; for 
they beset us on every side. The cannonading com- 
menced in good earnest on both sides. It was, 
however, more constant on the British side, because 
they had a more extensive mark to batter. We 
had nothing to fire at but their batteries; but they 
Avere coolly and deliberately attended to ; and it was 
believed that more than one of their guns were dis- 
mounted durins; the sieo-e. One of our militia-men 
took his station on the embankment, and gratui- 
tously forewarned us of every shot. In this he be- 
came so skillful that he could, in almost every case, 
predict the destination of the ball. As soon as the 
smoke issued from the muzzle of the gun he would 
cry out ^^shot," or ^^bomb," as the case might be. 
Sometimes he would exclaim, ^^Block-house No. 1," 
or, ^^Look out, main battery;" '^iSiOw for the meat- 
house;" ^'Good-by, if you will pass." In spite of 
all the expostulations of his friends, he maintained 
his post. One day there came a shot that seemed 
to defy all his calculations. He stood silent — mo- 
tionless — perplexed. In the same instant he was 



130 



THE SWOED. 



swept into eternity. Poor man! he should have 
considered that when there was no obliquity in the 
issue of the smoke, either to the right or left, above 
or beloW; the fatal messenger would travel in the 
direct line of his vision. He reminded me of the 
peasant, in the siege of Jerusalem, who cried out, 
'^Woe to the city! woe to the temple! woe to my- 
self!" On the most active day of the investment 
there was as many as five hundred cannon-balls 
and bombs thrown at our fort. Meantime, the In- 
dians, climbing up into the trees, fired incessantly 
upon us. Such was their distance, that many of 
their balls barely reached us, and fell harmless to the 
ground. Occasionally they inflicted dangerous and 
even fatal wounds. The number killed in the fort 
was small, considering the profusion of powder and 
ball expended on us. About eighty were slain, 
many wounded, and several had to suff'er the ampu- 
tation of limbs. The most dangerous duty which 
we performed within the precincts of the fort was in 
covering the magazine. Previous to this the powder 
had been deposited in wagons, and these stationed 
in the traverse. Here there was no security against 
bombs. It was therefore thought to be prudent to 
remove the powder into a small block-house, and 
cover it with earth. The enemy, judging our 
design from our movements, now directed all their 
shot to this point. Many of their balls were red-hot. 
Wherever they struck they raised a cloud of smoke, 
and made a frightful hissing. An officer passing 



SIEGE OF rOKT MEIGS. 



131 



our quarters, said, ''Boys, who will volunteer to 
cover the magazine?" Fool-like, away several of us 
went. As soon as we reached the spot, there came 
a ball and took off one man's head. The spades 
and dirt fleAV faster than any of us had before wit- 
nessed. In the midst of our job a bomb-shell fell on 
the roof, and lodging on one of the braces, it spun 
round for a moment. Every soldier fell prostrate 
on his face, and with breathless horror awaited the 
vast explosion, which we expected would crown all 
our earthly sufferings. Only one of all the gang 
presumed to reason on the case. He silently argued 
that, as the shell had not bursted as quick as usual, 
there midit be somethino: wrona: in its arranscement. 
If it bursted Avhere it Avas, and the magazine ex- 
ploded, there could be no escape: it was death any- 
how; so he sprung to his feet, seized a boat-hook, 
and pulling the hissing missile to the ground, and 
jerking the smoking match from its socket, discov- 
ered that the shell was filled with inflamimable Pxiat- 
ter, which, if once ignited, would have wrapped the 
whole building im a sheet of flame. This circumi- 
stance added wings to our shovels; and we were 
right glad when the officer said, '''That will do: go 
to vour lines." AVhen retired to mv cool subter- 
ranean lodD:e, I called a meetino; of the whole cabi- 
net of ^^Mansoul;" in which, after considerable dis- 
cussion, the following preamble and resolution were 
unanimously adopted: 

WhereaSy Volunteering is a mere work of super- 



132 



THE SWOKD. 



erogation, and commonly founded on animal pas- 
sions, and^ moreover, brings no revenue of respect 
to our judgment; therefore, 

Resolved J That this shall be the last volunteer 
service with us, come what will." 

To this I have strictly adhered, both in State and 
Church. Indeed, in our Church, where there is 
such stupendous locomotive power, volunteering is 
truly ridiculous. Although I have generally gone 
where the determinate council have sent me, yet 
I still cherish an abiding and habitual diffidence 
about flourishing in a forlorn hope^ 

The siege still went on with various success on 
both sides, the enemy becoming more formidable 
by experience and practice, till the fifth of May. 
We will begin with that day by saying it was set 
apart by the authorities of the State of Ohio, as a 
day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer. The infi- 
del may say, Pshaw! that was only accidental.'' 
But if that said infidel will take the pains to ex- 
amine the papers and journals of the times, he 
will find that nearly all the victories which were 
gained in the last war, by the American arms, were 
gained on fast-days. On the fifth of May, a reen- 
forcement, under General Clay, was descending the 
Maumee. The previous evening Harrison had sent 
a confidential officer to meet the force, and give 
them the plan of operation. A division of the body 
was to land on the western shore, and by a rapid 
and secret maxch come down upon the enemy's bat- 



SIEGE OF FOKT ^.lEIGS. 



133 



teries^ spike their cannons^ and then retreat down 
to the river under cover of our guns^ till they could 
be transported to the fort. The other division was 
to make their way down the river^ in their boats^ 
to the garrison. As soon as this last division came 
in sight on the rapids^ they attracted the sole atten- 
tion of the armies on both sides of the river. Meet- 
ing with some obstructions in the river^ they were 
obliged to land. This they did under a heavy fire 
from the Indians on the eastern shore. A detach- 
ment^ embracing our company^ was marched out of 
the fort^ to cover the Kentuckians who were coming 
in. With little loss they entered the fort. 

As soon as we had retired to the garrison, the 
Petersburg, the Pittsburg, and Greensburg volun- 
teers, with some companies of regulars, and Captain 
Sebree's brave militia, numbering, in all, four hund- 
red men, were drawn up in a deep ravine outside 
of the picketing, preparatory to a sortie. The ob- 
ject was to destroy a battery which had been con- 
structed on our side of the river, which had done 
us much harm, and which was supported by fifteen 
hundred Indians. The sally was also to be so timed 
as to divert the attention of the enemy from the 
approach of Dudley's command, that was slyly steal- 
ing upon them. The few moments immediately 
preceding the battle are, of all others, the most 
awful. Then the soldier is capable of reflection, 
and the mental vessel, under the high pressure, 
moves fast. To counteract this, our first lieuten- 



134 



THE SWORD. 



ant, who had been nicknamed ^^Old Sliiefoot/' 
passed up and down our line, encouraging tire men. 
He was a wicked man, but had so many good traits 
withal, that he was very popular. ^^Boys,'' said 
he, ^Svhen they give the word, do you all rush with 
a tremendous shout." And then he exclaimed with 
an awful oath, that there was nothing under heaven 
like a shout. At last the word was given — the 
charge made. As we cleared the ravine the whole 
forest was in a blaze. The continuous roar of the 
rifles was like the long roll of the drum — no inter- 
mission. The balls flew like hailstones — pish — 
pish — pish; now and then rap — rap. In our pas- 
sage to the woods we became exposed to the British 
battery on the other side of the river. They were 
not slow in playing their artillery on us; but we 
heard it not — we felt it not — we saw it not. With 
a blazing line before us, and a crowd of anxious 
witnesses in the fort behind, we had no time for 
way-side chitchat and lateral sallies. Those who 
were in the fort said it was amazing to see how the 
balls plowed up the earth about our heels, and with 
what little eff'ect. But while the foe were engaged 
in this very act, Dudley's Kentuckians rushed down 
upon their rear, took their batteries, and spiked 
their guns. If they had then retreated to the river, 
according to orders, happy would it have been for 
them. But, unfortunately, the Indian yell was 
raised in the forest. That was more than a Ken- 
tucky ear could bear. Our victors rushed to meet 



SIEGE OF FOKT MEIGS. 



135 



their mortal foe^ and a general slaughter ensued. 
After the siege, while gathering up the dead, in 
several places were found the white and red man, 
as they had fallen in single combat, locked in deadly 
strife. This imprudence was not confined to raw 
troops. There was too much of it on our side of 
the river; for when our sortie was crowned with 
success, the eastern battery destroyed, and thirty 
artillery-men, with two officers, taken prisoners, 
our soldiers continued to drive the Indians till we 
were beguiled about three-quarters of a mile into 
the woods, and the enemy began to outflank, and 
get between us and our works. In this move Se- 
bree's company became surrounded ; but they fought 
desperately afc close quarters, muzzle to muzzle, and 
hatchet to hatchet, till a regular company cut a 
passage through. This militia company suffered 
more than all the rest of the detachment. We, 
however, considered that victory was on our side; 
for we retreated into a fort that was now compara- 
tively safe. The enemy's guns were all silenced, 
and if they continued the siege, their only hope 
could be in storming, and this was most ardently 
desired on our side. We were afterward informed 
by deserters that this was their intention. The 
English general had engaged the Indians to assist 
him in this work at the breaking of the day. 
Some barrels of whisky, as part and parcel of the 
contract, were issued to the savages that evening, 
and they spent the night in drinking and torturing 



136 



THE SWOED. 



the unhappy prisoners who had fallen hito their 
hands. At the same time the company of Irishmen 
that we carried into Meigs, were treated with 
American hospitality, and regularly drew their ra- 
tions, even to their whisky. They were profuse in 
their expressions of gratitude, and their tongues 
moved as on a pivot. Just before day-break Proctor 
sent for the Indian chiefs, and asked them if they 
were all ready for the storm. They answered, ^^AU 
ready ! S'pose you take your braves and go before, 
and drive your nails into the big guns, as Kantuc 
serve you; then we come — Indian much — strong!" 
This the English were not disposed to do. The 
next morning the dissatisfied Indians began to file 
off* by companies and tribes; and the English gen- 
eral becoming alarmed, hastily raised the siege, and 
retreated, leaving much of his baggage behind. 

None of our company were left on the field. 
About twenty-five were wounded — some of them 
dangerously — who recovered; and six died of their 
wounds. These added to the sixteen, whose deaths 
might be traced to their exposure in the Black 
Swamp, made our total loss twenty-two. 

When I look back at all through which we 
passed, it seems to me a mystery of God's goodness 
that I was spared. But this mystery, reader, is 
partially solved by the reflection, that I had a pious 
and praying mother, who pleaded for the prodigal, 
day and night, with strong cries and tears. When 
the news reached P- , that there had been an 



SIEGE OF FOET MEIGS. 



137 



engagement at Fort Meigs, and that many of tlie 
volunteers were wounded, and some killed, my 
mother was sorely afflicted. The sound of every 
footstep on the threshold harrowed up her soul. 
She could not think of stepping out for fear of evil 
tidings. And what made it still more distressing 
was, that it was her regular class day. From the 
means of grace she was not to be driven by the 
smiles of friends or frowns of enemies. To her 
closet she fled, and while wrapped up in a conflict 
of prayer, she said, and / believed /ler, that God 
gave her a comfortable assurance that all was well. 
She now went forth to her class meeting. As she 
passed down the street, the postmaster, who had 
been a schoolmate of mine, ran to the door, with 
tears in his eyes, and said, ^^Mrs. L., I have just 
heard from the army; my poor brother John is 
killed; but, thank Grod! Alfred is safe." Under the 
mingling emotions of sympathy and gratitude, she 
burst into tears, and as soon as utterance was 
given, answered, ^^Mr. S., truly I feel with you the 
loss of your excellent brother; but the Lord had 
before given me the most satisfactory assurances in 
regard to my son." So she hastened on to her 
class, and in the bosom of an affectionate and pray- 
ing Church buried all her sorrows. And I do 
believe that if I could live to be as old as Methusa- 
lah, I should still be childish enough — if childish it 

be — to say, blessed be God for a praying mother! 

12 



138 



THE SWOKD. 



IX . 

THE SEQUEL AT FORT MEIOS. 

OuE readers will perceive that, to the raising of 
the siege of Fort Meigs, our campaign was nothing 
but a scene of suffering and toil, with the exception 
of our gala promenade to Chillicothe. We have jet 
to speak of the slain, the wounded, and the dying, 
as these must be taken into the account in reckon- 
ing the cost. After the sortie, we visited the hos- 
pital. Keclining on a bed in one corner lay a gal- 
lant officer, who was attached to the engineer de- 
partment. He had rendered much service from the 
beginning of the war, and his courage was unques- 
tionable. But now, in consequence of the irritation 
of his nerves by the roar of artillerj^, the bursting 
of bombs, the pain of his wounds, and his feverish 
condition, he had become as timid and as peevish as 
a child, and was constantly apprehensive of being 
torn to pieces by a cannon-ball. 

"Lord, what is man! poor, feeble man! 
Formed of the dust at first." 

Stretched on a pallet lay Captain Jack Shore, ''the 
darling of our crew." He had formerly commanded 
^ merchantman; and although only a private in our 



THE SEQUEL AT FORT MEIGS. 



139 



company, and a sailor withal, he ^vas better quali- 
fied for a military officer than any man in our 
corps. But he teas a sailor ; and that, in the land- 
lubber's vocabulary, implies every thing that is 
awkward and back-handed, on horse or foot. He 
was related to General Harrison, and had more 
than once taken tea with his distinguished cousin, 
svJ) rosa/' in the grand marquee. At the com- 
mencement of the cannonading, he - had solicited a 
station in one of the principal batteries, and han- 
dled the big guns to admiration. One of the guns 
was dismounted by a shot from the Qnemy, and an 
iron splinter pierced his leg. It Avas immediately 
extracted. The wound was considered unimportant, 
and was slioditlv bandaa^ed. However, in a few 
hours it became distressingly painful, and he retired 
to the hospital. He was now suffering in the last 
stage of lock-jaw. In his spasmodic agony, the 
smoke of his torment literally rose in a mist from 
his blanket. AVe crave him a hot bath, but to no 
purpose; he sank in death, lamented by all. 

In another corner lay the handsome and delicate 
Cluff, mortally wounded. He was earnestly begging 
?v messmate to read to him. In this he was 2:rati- 
fied. We can not recollect the book that was used, 
but remember well noticino; at the time that it was 
not a religious work. His comrade would read a 
few lines, and then ask him how he liked it. With 
a vacant stare he would shake his head, but imme- 
diately repeat, ^^Read, read." The thought struck 



140 



THE SWORD. 



me at the time that it was the Word of life which 
he wished to hear from, in that trying hour, but 
that he had not yet reached that point of contrition 
which would embolden him to express the humilia- 
ting request. And, alas! alas! I had not moral 
courage to direct him to a source of comfort which 
had been so shamefully neglected by myself. 

In a tent, surrounded by his affectionate mess, 
was nursed the brave, intelligent, and well-educated 
Booker. He spoke of death, not only with com- 
posure, but sometimes with exultation. His hope 
was cheering; but it soon appeared, from his con- 
versation, that it rested on the common opiate of 
dying soldiers : he was dying for his country. Al- 
though my stock of theological lore was very scant, 
yet it showed me that this would not do; but I 
durst not point him to a better foundation, lest he 
might say, ironically, but justly, Physician, heal 
thyself.'' Precious young man ! he was, doubtless, 
less faulty than myself. He felt that he was con- 
summating the work which God had given him to 
do, by sacrificing himself on the altar of his country, 
while ^^I knew my duty, but I did it not." We 
have not time to speak particularly of our fallen 
comrades. There they lie, each in his dusty bed, 
deep in the cold banks of the Maumee, awaiting 
the grand reveille that will usher in the day-break 
of immortality, which shall their flesh restore." 
But, in seeing all this, the impression fastened on 
my mind, and revolving years have not erased it. 



THE SEQUEL AT FOBT MEIGS. 



141 



that if there is any situation which calls loudly for 
a pious^ industrious, and self-denying niinister of 
Christ, it is the army. 

"We have before us a communication, lately 
received from the Peace Society. We cordially 
agree with it, that the spirit of Christianity is the 
spirit of peace. We are, moreover, highly delighted 
with the project of a grand court of arbitration, 
governed by well-defined international laws, to set- 
tle differences that may arise between governments. 
We believe that the common safetv and interests 
of all nations may yet prompt them to establish 
such a tribunal. And if the Peace Society stood 
upon the high resolve, 1. To do all that we right- 
eously and consistently can to prevent war; 2. To 
do all that we possibly can to mitigate its evils, when 
it does com_e, and labor by all justifiable means to 
restore peace; we see no cause why the whole 
Christian community might not advocate it. But 
we really fear, from a perusal of its documents, 
that it leans to ultraism: 

1. Because it claims too much — to be the sum' 
raum honwn — the land's-end " of all conservative 
virtue. It boasts of controlling the press. It has 
Avaked up the pulpit." Waked up the pulpit, 
indeed! Were it not for the pulpit, and its asso- 
ciate means of grace, all divinely instituted, we 
doubt whether a Peace Society would have ever 
been mentioned on the continent of iVmerica. This 
is the first emanation we have received from the 



142 



THE SWOED. 



said society^ and yet our conscience bears us witness 
that we have, according to the grace given, preached 
peace by Jesus Christ for, lo ! these twenty years 
and more. 

2. Because its morality outstrips the Bible, and 
even leaves its Divine Author in the dark distance. 
The Peace Advocate holds that the time is coming 
"when no conscientious minister can officiate as a 
chaplain in the army. Surely that Avill be a day 
of high lustration! a day wdien mortal man will be 
too conscientious to preach for Christ at all; for he 
requires his ministers to preach the Gospel to every 
creature — to the civilized and the barbarian — to the 
master and the servant — to the sailor and the sol- 
dier. Did our Lord's commission embrace the sol- 
dier? We judge so from his practice. Vvhen a 
centurion sent for him to minister to his family, 
our Savior promptly answered the call. And when 
the centurion, on second thought, feared he had 
ventured too much, and sent a messenger to modify 
the request, our Lord turned to his followers and 
said, '^Verily, I have not found so great faith; no, 
not in Israel;" not even in his own apostles. Again, 
the first Gospel sermon that was preached to the 
Gentiles was particularly addressed to Cornelius, a 
centurion of the band, called the Italian band, and 
his devout soldiers. And this by the special com- 
mand of Heaven. In all probability it was preached 
in the barracks. It is true, all this was before the 
Peace Advocate had waked up the pulpit. We hope 



THE SEQUEL AT FORT MEIGS. 



143 



the time will never come when ministers of the 
Gospel will be so tender in conscience as not to go 
any where this side of hell to save souls from per- 
dition. 

3. Because it claims affinity^ or seeks partnership 
with every one Avho will in any wise promote its 
design. The flowers of Pettit are quoted to prove 
the inconsistency of acting as a chaplain in the 
army. AVe wonder that the Peace Society could not 
see that Mr. Pettit was more intent on degrading 
the Christian religion than promoting peace. He 
was trying to show what a poor, weak, pusillani- 
mous thing Christianity is — how it creates a super- 
stitious conscience, that makes cowards of us all.'' 
This was just what we might expect infidelity to 
throw out in her pangs of expiration. But the 
Peace Society w^ill not soon swell its ranks with 
Christian men and women, if it expects them to 
enlist at the enormous expense of underwriting the 
Pettit parole. Christianity make cowards of sol- 
diers ! Time and experience have each placed a 
foot on that gross libel. Did religion make cowards 
of the Methodist soldiers in the battle of Fontenoy ? 
No. One of the society cried out with holy joy, as 
he marched into the field of battle, ^^I am going to 
rest in the bosom of Jesus." Others, when thev 
fell, covered with wounds, exclaimed, ^^I am going 
to my beloved." Others, ^^Come, Lord Jesus, come 
quickly!" When William Clements had his arm 
broken by a musket-ball, they would have carried 



144 



THE SWOBD. 



him out of the battle; but he said, ''No, I have an 
arm left yet to hold a sword; I will not go/' "When 
a second shot broke his other arm, he said, ''I am 
as happy as I can be out. of paradise.'' John Evans, 
having both his legs taken off by a cannon-ball, was 
laid across a cannon to die, where, as long as he 
could speak, he was praising God with joyful lips. 
John Haine, of the cavalry, filled with an assurance 
of Divine protection, cried out, The French have 
no ball molded and billeted to touch my life this 
day." After seven hours' hard fighting, a cannon- 
ball struck his horse from under him, and down he 
tumbled in the dust. An officer cried at the top 
of his voice, ''Haine, where is your God now?" 
Springing again to his feet, he replied, "Sir, he is 
here with me, and he will bring me out of this 
battle." Presently there came a ball and took the 
officer's head off. 0 ! these simple-hearted Chris- 
tians carried their Bibles in their knapsacks. Their 
conscience was not shaped by lectures, and pream- 
bles, and resolutions, all tending to canonize and 
deify one Christian grace at the expense of all 
others, or to exalt one Bible duty as a commutation 
for the rest. They feared God and honored the 
king. They rendered unto CcEsar the things that 
are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are 
God's. And yet, even in the army, they were a pe- 
culiar people ; for while the soldiers were gathering 
watches and jewels on the battle-field, and said to 
them, "Come, will ye not fly upon the spoil?" their 



THE SEQUEL AT FORT MEIGS. 



145 



noble answer was^ ^^We liave Christ in our hearts; 
Ave desire no plunder." They believed that, in 
their peculiar place, it was their duty to fight for 
their king and country; but they knew that it was 
no duty to God or their country to plunder the dead. 
But to resume: 

After the hasty retreat of the enemy, a detach- 
ment was sent out to scour the woods, and o-ather 
up the dead. They brought in a great number, and 
spread them out before one of the gates. They 
had been abused and mutilated in a most shocking 
manner. About midnight it fell to my lot to stand 
a lonely sentinel over this ghastly, silent congrega- 
tion. The stars shone sufficiently bright to give 
effect to the scene. As I looked down upon them, 
I became more astonished at myself than any other 
part of the creation. I felt truly like an apostate 
from human nature. A few months before I could 
not feel comfortable in the idea of sleeping alone. 
The sight of a corpse could once afford me subject- 
matter of tremblino; for weeks to come. Even in 
the Black Swamp I had a tear to spare to the 
expiring pack-horse. But now, at this lonely hour, 
while all the army were wrapped in sleep, except 
a few widely-scattered sentinels, I could look down 
on this ghastly, disfigured group, vrithout even a 
tremor stealing over my nerves. I found that my 
heart had become wretchedly hardened by the 
scenes, sufferings, and confiicts of Avar. What par- 
ticularly afflicted me Avas, I thought that all the 



146 



THE SWORD. 



social feelings and sympathies of my soul were 
clean gone forever; that I should no more feel 
with those who feel^ or weep with those who weep. 
But I found subsequently that in this I was mis- 
taken. After I returned to the pacific relations of 
life^ the kindred streams gushed back, I was re- 
stored to the felloAvship of humanity, and more — 
glory be to God ! through whose mercy the day-star 
from on high hath visited my soul — admitted to the 
communion of saints, and the household of faith. 

The next day, after laying out the dead as de- 
centlv as circumstances would admit, Ave committed 
them to the earth. Then all the cannon around 
the fort Avere fired in slow and solemn succession, 
while the wild and unpeopled banks of the Maumee 
echoed and reechoed the funeral honors to the dis- 
tant lake. 

Our army Avas noAV restrained from further opera- 
tions by the War Department, till the contemplated 
battle on the Lake. As Perry stood in need of 
men, there Avas another beat for A^olunteers in the 
fort. This matter Avas not Avithout its temptations. 
But I rigidly declined for the following reasons: 

1. I remembered burying the magazine, and the 
subsequent pledge. It AA^as said, a bad promise is 
better broken than kept. Yes, but there lay ^'the 
rub;" I Avas not yet couA^inced that it AA^as a had 
promise. 

2. I rather suspected that there Avould be hotter 
times on the lake than Ave had seen yet; and I had 



THE SEQUEL AT FOKT MEIGS. 147 



never vaunted myself on a surplus of courage. It 
is true, I had heretofore felt a kind of fear — I will 
not call it coAvardice, lest it should involve too 
many — a fear of public opinion — a fear of disgrac- 
ing myself, my family, my country, etc.^ which had 
answered as an excellent substitute for courage, and 
had borne me up in all our sufferings and dangers 
thus far; but I had not sounded all its depth and 
shoal; and how it would work when we came to be 
grappled yard-arm and yard-arm, I could not tell. 

3. I could not bear the idea of being recognized by 
some old salt, perhaps some shipmate, under a sol- 
dier's coat, as I knew the standing antipathy of a 
sailor to my temporary profession. If they had held 
out, on a pole^ a suit of blue, jacket and trowsers, 
with a neat tarpaulin, it is probable that all the 
other scruples of this soldier might have fled, and 
he might have snapped at the bait. But, avast! 
As I had started on a land cruise, I thoudit it was 
best to end it before engaging in new enterprises. 

Soon after this the fort was broken up, or reduced 
to an inconsiderable post, and the army was con- 
centrated at Camp Seneca. Here a poor deserter 
was brought in. He was a young man of agreeable 
appearance. The court-martial condemned him to 
be shot. The sad day arrived. The whole army 
was paraded and formed into a semi-square. The 
executive platoon was marched out. The unhappy 
culprit was blindfolded and seated with his back 
against a stump. A deadly silence pervaded the 



148 



THE SWORD. 



whole host. Harrison^ in full uniform, towered in 
the midst. I was near enough to the condemned to 
observe that he trembled like an aspen, and writhed 
in all the bitterness of hopeless death. The thrill- 
ing word was given, ^^Make ready! take aim!" 
Here the General waved his hand to the officer, and 
announced to the trembling deserter that his sin was 
forgiven. He then solemnly raised his right hand 
to heaven, and pledged himself, before the Lord of 
hosts, and God of the armies of heaven, that the 
next deserter who should be condemned by a court- 
martial should die. Harrison was always beloved 
by his men, but never did he appear more majestic 
or more lovely than he did on that occasion. 
The poor young man seemed for a while petrified, 
and utterly incapable of comprehending the sum^ of 
benevolence; but when restored to his quarters he 
gave loose to the most unbounded joy. The next 
day he was employed on fatigue, in driving an ox 
cart. As he went, he leaped, and danced, and sung, 
and squealed, and seemed to be seeking, in every 
member, every faculty, every sense, for some vital 
testimony that he was alive, and not dead. 



ENEMY PURSUED. 



149 



X. 

ENEMY PURSUED-DISCHARQED- 

HO ME. 

The news of Perry's victory set every thing in 
motion again. The army was marched down to 
Sandusky Bay, and thence transported by boats to 
Put-in Ba^y, a beautiful harbor formed on the bosom 
of the lake by the position of some islands. In 
this bay lay the American squadron, with its cap- 
tured fleet, entirely land-locked. It was distressing, 
in the dark watches of the night, to hear the ago- 
nizing groans of the wounded and dying on board 
the hospital-ship, who had suffered in the late con- 
flict. On these islands we rested a few days. While 
here, another deserter was brought in. He was 
condemned. The usual solemn preliminaries Avere 
attended to — the word given; but there was no 
Harrison on the field to wave the signal of mercy, 
and the poor criminal fell. 

At last the important day came, which was to 
land us on the shores of our enemies. The army 
embarked in the fleet and a great multitude of boats 
which had been gathered together. The General, 
with the Petersburg, Virginia, volunteers, sailed on 
board the Ariel, with Commodore Perry. The 



160 THE SWORD. 

morning was beautiful beyond description. The 
sun shone with refulgent splendor on our polished 
arms. The martial waving of the snoAv-white 
plumes of the officers^ the various uniforms of reg- 
ulars and volunteers^ the solemn silence^ interrupted 
only by the regular movement of springing oars, 
altogether formed a scene awfully grand. But the 
scene became still more imposing, when, arriving 
within a few rods of the shore, every soldier ex- 
pecting to breast the fury of an ambushed foe, all 
at once the flapping banner of our host was unfurled 
to the whistling wind, the concentrated music of the 
whole army burst, in a national air, on the ears 
of a feeling soldiery, and the whole atmosphere 
around us was filled with the shouts of freemen. 
It was terrible, even to ourselves, although our 
bosoms swelled high with the expectation of victory, 
and every heart throbbed with national pride at 
the sublimity of the scene. In one moment the 
extended line of boats struck the shore, and in the 
next the whole embattled host stood on the bank. 
We took up our line of march for Maiden. But 
we soon learned that the fort had been fired, and 
that the English had retreated. All had fled but 
the brave Tecumseh. The citizens told us that he 
sat on his faithful charger, at the head of the 
street, and looked till he saw the van of our army 
entering the suburbs below. He then turned his 
horse with a sigh, and as the Americans entered 
one end of the town, he slowly rode out of the 



E X E :\I Y PURSUED. 



151 



other. He had exhausted all his eloquence in try- 
ing to persuade the British general to leave him 
and his braves in possession of the fort. Those 
who had an opportunity of knowing him^ said he 
was as much superior to Proctor in humanity as he 
was in courage. To finish his history at once^ Ave 
will add^ that he fell in the battle that followed^ in 
the midst of his people, that were stationed in the 
swamp, and, as they say, pierced with many balls; 
and was buried four miles in the rear. There we 
suspect he remains to the present day. And the 
razor-strops, and other precious relics, that will be 
handed down to future generations, as samples of 
his hide, are all, as the old chief himself would ex- 
press it, ^' ec-shaw.'' And we believe if his resur- 
rection should take place to-morrow, it would inter- 
rupt nobody's shaving utensils in Kentucky or else- 
where. 

As soon as possible we went in pursuit of the en- 
emy. It was my fortune to go by way of the lake. 
We soon found that we had not yet passed through 
all the shades of military starvation. Before we 
crossed the lake, we had our rations issued for sev- 
eral days, and were ordered to jerk our beef, to the 
end that it might be better preserved, and made 
more convenient to carry. And it Avas, indeed, 
made much more convenient to carry, because, by 
that process, it became so depreciated in size and 
weight, that it did not last more than half the time 
contemplated. And now Ave had to embark destitute 



152 



THE SWORD. 



of sea stores. It is true^ we had tlie privilege, three 
times in each day, of ranging oiir noses around the 
caboose, while the jolly tars served up their allow- 
ance in almost all the variety of culinary science. • 
This was the more aggravating to me, as among 
their dishes I recognized many an old acquaintance, 
which I had not tasted since I last entered Cape 
Henry. There was the ^^duff," the chowder," the 
smoking ^^obschouse," and that, too, served up in 
the very faG-simile of my old smoked tin-pot, out 
of which I had quaffed many a gallon of tea, and 
other good things, in by-gone days. Meantime, the 
sailors looked carelessly among us, as if they thought 
gentlemen of the army lived upon the wind. I had 
a great mind to reveal myself to them, and fall 
upon their sympathies; but as I had taken it upon 
myself to sustain the character of a soldier, for the 
time being, I concluded to endure hardness as a 
good soldier. We went on board hungry — we were 
hungry through the whole cruise, and were at last 
landed at the mouth of the Thames as ravenous as 
wolves. For several miles we marched through a 
mixed population of French and Yankees, and 
gathered up enough scraps to keep soul and body 
together. At last we encamped in a beautiful 
neighborhood that was settled by Scotchmen, who 
were more loyal than the Englishmen. They would 
neither give nor sell to His Majesty's enemies. - 
They acknowledged that we had ample power to 
take; that was one thing; but to collude with the 



ENE.AIY PURSUED. 



153 



enemy was another. It was against general orders 
to plunder^ and our battalion had strictly obeyed. 
But now we had come to our wit's end. At last 
our commander said^ ^^Boys, you see your case: we 
can get nothing from these farms for love or money : 
there is no alternative but to help yourselves." One 
of every mess took his tomahawk, and walking 
about the fields, brought in an abundance of pigs, 
turkeys, geese^ etc.; and there was great feasting in 
the camp. • 
At last our van came up with the enemy. It is 
unnecessary to give a particular account of the 
battle, as it has been so often described. Indeed, 
there is but little to be said about it. The Ken- 
tucky mounted men rushed dovvm upon their lines 
like a hurricane, and swept all before them. It was 
a momentary conflict. The whole army surrendered. 
The Indians on the flank prolonged the fight for 
a while, but soon fled. Our battalion, which consti- 
tuted the rear guard, could not get up in time to 
stop a ball; and I for one was right glad of it; for 
our time of service v/as now expired, and the Avord 
^^home, sweet home," seemed to gather additional 
charms every day. We returned to Detroit by the 
lake. The weather was unusually squally. The 
vessel that I was in carried an enormous o'un amid- 

o 

ships. It was lashed fore and aft. The militia 
becoming very seasick, crowded down the main 
hatchway into the hold. "We were suddenly struck 
by a squall, when the Long Tom breaking the lash^ 



164 



THE SWOED. 



ing at the muzzle^ slued down to leeward, and the 
schooner was struck down on her beam-end. The 
water gushed into the hatchway — the soldiers 
gushed out by platoons. Those who were on deck 
held on for their lives^ and every soul expected in a 
few minutes to be in eternity. A sailor who was 
down in the scuppers, had the presence of mind to 
let fly the fore-sheet, when she partially righted, 
and the gun was secured, and the sail shortened. 
It was, however, a very narrow escape. Though 
alarmed, I recollect, in the midst of the danger, a 
mortification — a kind of cheapness seemed to creep 
over me at the thought, that after I had traversed 
over so many mountain swells, and had escaped so 
many dangers, on the wide Atlantic, I was about to 
be cast away in a mill-pond, comparatively. We 
safely arrived at Detroit, where, shortly after, we 
were discharged on the public parade, the General 
pronouncing over us a high encomium, and declaring 
that we had set an example of military subordina- 
tion to the whole army. 

After our discharge we were landed in Cleveland, 
and left at perfect liberty to follow our ov/n course. 
The citizens of Cleveland and vicinity showed us no 
little kindness the few days we rested among them. 
"We diverted ourselves much with one little circum- 
stance; and that was, the citizens, from the lordly 
dome to the log-cabin, were mostly either generals, or 
colonels, or majors, or captains, or — squires, any how. 
"W© could scarce find a man without some kind of 



E N E AI Y P U E S U E D . 155 

handle to his name. Here I stood on the shore 
of the lake^ high and dry, and said in my heart, 
'^One woe is passed! I shall no more travel that 
ugly, muddy road from Chillicothe to Columbus ! 
I shall no more flounder over the snow-drifted 
plains of CraAvford ! I shall no more shiver on the 
bleak banks of the Sandusky ! I will hie me home 
to my own sunny Appomattox, and perhaps live 
and die on its verdant banks." But there is a 
book, a blessed but mystic book, which says, "It is 
not in man to direct his steps J' Little did I then 
think that, in less than twelve years, it would be 
my allotted duty to stand in the city of Columbus, 
and preach to listening congregations the Gospel of 
the Son of God. Little did I think that, in a few 
years more, the house, the very house in Delaware 
that sheltered the benumbed and Aveather-beaten 
soldier, should be his parsonage, while he should 
travel over the length and breadth of the plains of 
Crawford, not an unpeopled solitude, but beautifully 
spotted with farms and dwellings — in Summer a 
boundless prospect of undulating grass, and fragrant 
flowers of almost every form and shade — in "Winter 
a sea of crusted snoAv, over which the sailor might 
glide at large in his bounding jumper, and, in his 
high-wrought imagination, live over his Atlantic 
rambles. Little did I think that there, even there, 
I should mino-le with the conoTeo-ated saints, hear 
the shout of heaven-born souls, and, least of all, 
that I even — even the sijiner, I — should rejoice in 



166 



THE SWOED. 



the sound with a joy unspeakable and full of glory. 
But all this came to pass. While laboring in that 
section of our work, I was strongly solicited by 
Russel Bigelow, the superintendent of the mission, 
to visit the ^^Eeserve." I did so on a quarterly 
meeting occasion. While preaching to the Indians, 
through an Indian interpreter, I mentioned that I 
had once earnestly sought them before, with my 
body clothed in hostile armor, and murder in my 
heart; but that, in examining my soul, I found that 
God had gotten to himself a greater victory there; 
for now the weapons of my warfare were no longer 
carnal, and the theme that I most delighted in was 
peace on earth, good-will toward men. To give 
them a clearer understanding of my position in the 
last war, I told them that I belonged to that com- 
pany which the Indians used to call, ^^The men 
with the silver birds in their caps,'' As I mentioned 
this, significant glances were thrown round the 
assembly, and my interpreter faltered as he gave it 
out. As soon as the service was over, he declared 
that he was with the hostile Indians that defended 
the British battery against the sally from Fort 
Meigs, and that he fought against that very com- 
pany. He said the Indians were particularly anx- 
ious to kill our men; for they thought that the 
silver-leaf spread eagles on our helmets were made 
of the solid stufi*. Brother Bigelow took advantage 
of this circumstance while administering the sacra- 
ment next morning. He laid one hand on my head. 



DISCH AEGED. 



157 



and the other on the interpreter, and said. Breth- 
ren, these two, during the kst war, were arrayed 
in hateful strife against each other; but behokl the 
victories of the Cross! they are now kneeling, in 
Christian fellowship and communion, at this table, 
to show forth the death of their common Lord and 
Savior." The effect on the white part of the con- 
gregation Avas powerful; but as the interpreter gave 
it in excited and broken accents to the nation, it 
was overwhelming. 

Our company being broke up at Cleveland, we 
scattered in little social bands, in different routes, 
to seek our homes. I traveled in company vrith 
three of my most intimate friends. Our reception^ 
. or treatment, on the way, Avas various, according 
to the religious and political views of the people. 
One of our company became lame at the commence- 
ment of the journey, which retarded us consider- 
ably. In this dilemma we saw a very starch-look- 
ing Quaker overtaking us with a led horse. At 
this sight our comrade's limping evidently in- 
creased, and his pain became almost insupportable. 
We each made a very low and handsome bow to 
the stranger as he approached; but no response did 
we receive. We, however, surrounded him, and 
with the most moving eloquence that we could 
command, began to intercede for our lame friend. 
He very roughly refused us, declaring that he had 
nothinp; to do with war or anv who were concerned 
in it. This exasperated our invalid, and he began 



158 



THE SWOED. 



to be abusive. I told liim this was wrong. Per- 
haps the Quaker was conscientious in this matter. 
No doubt he thought he Avould be doing the devil 
service by giving him a seat in the vacant saddle. 
This was like throwing oil on the flame. ^^Con- 
scientious, indeed ! What, too conscientious to give 
a lift to a poor lame soldier, who has been fighting 
the battles of his country?" ^^Yes, it is even so, 
and you may just as well coil down, and take the 
world as it is, and not as it ought to be." 0, give 
us forever that religion 

"Which hates the sin, but still the sinner loves" — 

which hates war, but is ever ready to mitigate the 
evils and heal the wounds which war has made! 

We sometimes met with those who were polit- 
ically opposed to the w^ar. They also answered us 
roughly. At other times we had to do with real 
patriots — true blues. Among these were women, 
not a few, who, with moistened eyes, blessed us, as 
we passed, in the name of the Lord. When we 
were well advanced in our journey, we fell in with 
a company of loafers, a kind of people who, as soon 
as they see any person or new thing, begin to cast 
about in their minds Avhat they can make of it. 
They chose to look upon us as deserters, and set 
about to arrest us. We labored with many argu- 
ments, to prove that we were true men; but all to 
no purpose. When we found that they were medi- 
tating to carry us to Washington, we concluded, 
on consultation, that such a ride, at their expense, 



DISCHARGED. 



159 



would advance us considerably toward liome^ and it 
was more than probable that when Uncle Sam 
recognized us as his old fast friends, he would lift 
us still farther by way of indemnity. So we con- 
cluded to be deserters, if they would have it so. 
But when they found that we had become so well 
reconciled to a jaunt, they began to conclude we 
were Virginians, and possibly Virginia volunteers. 

We now walked rapidly, sometimes as many as 
forty-five miles in a day. Our money also went 
rapidly, and our purse began to wrinkle with age. 
On the evenino: of a beautiful dav, we were enter- 
ing the romantic town of Winchester. A gentle- 
man rode hastily by^ making a profound bow. He 
quickly turned his horse, and in quired if we were 
of the Virginia volunteers. Being answered in the 
affirmative, he put whip and spurs to his horse, and 
was soon hid from our view by the houses in the 
suburbs. At the head of the main street, we were 
met by several young men, Avho conducted us to 
the hotel, and ordered a splendid supper. Their 
number continually increased; and we found that 
they were members of a volunteer company that 
had served a tour on the sea-board, and were, there- 
fore, tenderly alive to our sufferings. We sat up to 
a late hour, indulging in a social interchange of our 
adventures. One Qf their company was truly a 
singular genius. He was famous for his extempo- 
raneous effusions in the way of song. The com- 
pany requested us to propose some topic of national 



160 



THE SWOED. 



interest. This we did twice or thrice, but he sung 
them off in such a masterly manner, that we could 
not help surmising that he had previously exercised 
his pen on almost every subject of public notoriety. 
The company then proposed that we would relate 
some incident that had transpired in the western 
army, which was not generally known, provided it 
was sufficiently stirring to elicit his zeal. This we 
did. And after clearing his throat, and attending 
to all the preliminaries that good singers always 
observe by note, he caroled forth a beautiful versi- 
fication of the whole matter. When the company 
broke they ppad off the bill, including in the set- 
tlement a warm and early breakfast for the poor 
soldiers. Such a windfall as this would have been 
considered only as a circumstance in our jolly dehut 
into the military life; but coming to disbanded 
soldiers, displumed of all martial attractions, it was 
truly grateful. 

The day before we entered Fredericksburg we 
had spent our all. And although it was a lovely 
day overhead, yet our hearts were sad, as we 
deliberated on our situation. We were far from 
home. We had not time to dig, and to beg we 
were ashamed. When we entered into the town, 
we naturally stepped into the first tavern, as stage- 
horses would stop at a post-ofl&ce. We had hardly 
seated ourselves, when a schoolmate of mine en- 
tered. He immediately recognized me; and, after 
a few friendly remarks, requested me to step out 



D I S C H A K a E D . 



IGl 



with him. He took me into a retired part of the 
yard, and looking round, as if to see whether any 
fowls of the air were hovering about, and as if he 
meditated some grand outrage on fallen human 
nature, he asked me, in a subdued tone, how' I was 
off for funds. I plainly and honestly replied that 
the ^'last shot in the locker" Avas expended. A 
flush of humanity suffused his benevolent brow, and 
he put his hand in his pockei. I knew that his 
family Avas of Virginia's noblest stock. And from 
all that I had seen in our school-boy days, I be- 
lieved that he had inherited all the nobilitv of his 
house. Therefore I could not accuse my eyes of pre- 
sumption, when I felt that they were anticipating 
the circumference of a full ^'shiner'' — a Dei Gratia, 
a Spanish dollar — for which I vrouid have been 
truly thankful. But the reader may guess how my 
soul was flooded with joy and gratitude, when he 
presented me with a twenty-dollar note, and a 
handsome apology, that he was on a journey,, and 
knew not how long he would be gone, otherwise he 
would give me more. He then fled from my over- 
flowing soul and eyes, as if he had perpetrated will- 
ful murder. I know not whether he is still living; 
but, dead or alive, I still pray for him, as the old 
negro said, ^^at a venture." I may be in the same 
fix that the pious sister P., of Xenia, once was. 
When we moved to this State, more than twenty 
years ago, she inquired about an old Methodist 
preacher, whom she had highly esteemed. We told 



162 



THE SWORD. 



her lie had been dead about six years. ^^Dear^ dear 
me!" said the old lady^ ^Svhy did they not send me 
word? I have been praying for him faithfully, 
night and day^ six years, and he all the time safely 
landed in heaven !" I went into the tavern, and 
gave my comrades a pluck; but they seem^ed to be 
fast moored. Poor fellows, they still had a faint 
hope that some liberal loafer would offer them a 
drink, or luncheon, or something of the kind. "^But 
at last they weighed anchor, though I could hardly 
tow them along. Every step they took seemed to 
indicate that they looked for nothing but ruin and 
starvation beyond the corporation of Fredericks- 
burg. But when we had got beyond the public 
gaze, I said, Cheer up, boys; Providence has sent 
me a breeze. I am now able to take the stage, and 
reel it off at the rate of eight knots an hour, home- 
ward bound; but for your sakes I forbear. If you 
will be economical, leave off this tavern fare, and 
let me be your purser, I will take you all home." 
I then stepped into a grocery, and stored our knap- 
sacks well Avith cheese and crackers, and we moved 
on with fresh life. 

At last we arrived at Eichmond. Here, at the 
commencement of our career, every door was open 
to us. But now the returning soldier passed along 
unheeded, unrecognized. At last a poor man — I 
believe a pious man — invited us to his home, to 
take pot-hick. And this he did, not through osten- 
tation or vainglory, but sheer benevolence. We 



HOME. 163 

found that girding on the armor was one thing, 
and taking it off was another; and we were well 
convinced that a young man of fruitful imagination 
might reap all the honor and glory of war in the 
domestic muster-field, without suffering any of its 
evils. Here our little platoon scattered again. I 
had twenty-five miles to go to reach home. This 
distance was measured leisurely, soberly, thought- 
fully, with an intention to make my return after 
nis:htfall. In all mv returns home, bv land or 
water, I loved to come in under the cover of night. 
About dusk I crossed the Appomattox, on Pocahon- 
tas bridge — trod lightly over Sandy beach — entered 
Bolinodirooke-street. It was now dark. I was 
closely scrutinized by every passenger, but had 
drawn my helmet down. I can not describe my 
feelino's as the familiar scenes of mv briadit bovhood 
came up in quick succession. At last I stood, with 
almost breathless aoitation, at mv home's door. A 
few faint raps — raised the latch, and stood in the 
presence of my mother. She lifted her eyes, gave 
one shrill scream, and exclaimed, ^^0 Alfred! 
Alfred! my son Alfred!" A pious lady, who lived 
in the next tenement, and whose soul was, relig- 
iously speaking, on the hair-spring order, and who, 
moreover, always levied a contribution of honey, 
more or less, on the most poisonous bitters of life, 
as they passed, heard the exclamation. It reminded 
her of David, ^Sveeping as he went, and saying, 
0 Absalom, Absalom, my son Absalom !" This 



164 



THE S^A'OED. 



sprung a class of reflections that instantaneously 
exploded in a shout. My little sisters, and neigh- 
bors, and acquaintances crowded round. And here 
my pen would paint a domestic scene; but perhaps 
my fair readers might drop a tear or two, inflame 
their eyes, and put their lips out of ^^prim;" and 
this might anger you, and ye might say, as a cer- 
tain lady, who takes more liberties with me than 
any other, sometimes says, ^' Pshaw! Mr. L., you 
certainly are the childishest man that ever was.'' 



THE CAPTUEED BUGLE. 



165 



XI. 

THE CAPTURED BUGLE. 

It is not generally known that after the long 
siege of Fort Meigs the enemy invested that post 
the second time. Althouo'h this is but slisrhtlv or 
incidentallv mentioned in some accounts of the last 
war^ yet it was an expedition that was largely pre- 
sumed on by the English. The intention was to 
carrv out a stratap:em udiich had been conceived 
and principally planned by the celebrated Indian 
chieftain Tecumseh. It is spoken of to the present 
dav, bv the veterans of the Eapids, as ^^Tecumseh's 
sham battle." After the first repulse of the British, 
measures of very strict precaution were adopted. 
One improvement was the establishment of a picket 
guard in the edge of the clearing, to prevent a sur- 
prise. This guard was generally marched out at 
the rising, and remanded into the fort at the setting 
of the sun. The post was occupied at first with 
true military vigilance. But as no enemy appeared 
for some time, the soldiers became verv careless. 
They would sometimes stack their arms, kindle a 
fire, and spend the whole day in telling stories^ 
playing cards, etc. One lovely morning, as the 



166 



THE SWOBI). 



guard was marcliing out, not strictly in the order 
of battle, and were within a few yards of their post, 
as many as eight or ten rifles blazed away from 
the thicket, and not more than two men made good 
their retreat. It was soon evident that we were 
again surrounded by an English and Indian force. 
They lay round our fortress for several days. As 
no batteries were constructed, and no besieging en- 
gines or apparatus could be discovered, the general 
belief was that they meditated a storm. Indeed, 
constant efforts were made to deepen this impression. 
Every morning before daylight, they marched round 
the fort — at a respectable distance, of course — playing 
on a single instrument, which poured forth the most 
perfect and lovely music of the kind which we had 
ever heard. Mullen, who v/as one of the volunteer- 
band, and who was passionately fond of instrumental 
music, would listen with the most profound but 
quizzical attention, presenting either ear alternately, 
blinking significantly, like a magpie, till the close 
of the air, and then would exclaim, with the 
strongest assurance imaginable, ^^Boys, I will never 
see Petersburg again till I blow a blast with that 
same sweet bugle." This always provoked a burst 
of incredulous laughter; but as often as the music 
came round, he would repeat his unreasonable 
prophecy, to the no small diversion of his comrades. 
After the enemy had made their pompous and 
harmless promenades, till they had lost both their 
novelty and terror, they aimed to carry into execu- 



THE GAPTUKED BUGLE. 



167 



tion the scheme of their grand ambuscade. About 
10; A. M.; on a sultry morning, a distant, continu- 
ous roar of small arms Avas heard on the Sandusky 
road; but heard very indistinctly. The sound, how- 
ever, rapidly increased. It seemed as if a reen- 
f or cement was fighting its w^ay to the camp. Hark ! 
hark ! jSTow they rush on with an impetuosity that 
bears down all opposition. Louder and louder — 
nigher and nigher! Well done, old Kentuck! 
N'ow they will cut their way through, in spite of 
redcoats or red skins. 

But now, alas! alas! they retreat, they fly! 
They are making back for Sandusky. The din of 
the battle recedes toward the settlement. No, no; 
they rally to the charge. Onward the human tem- 
pest comes — enlarging, deepening, mingling peal 
on peal." Now they have almost gained the clear- 
ing—columns of smoke are seen rolling up among 
the branches of the trees — the roar of rifles and 
musketry, the shrieks of the wounded and dying, 
the shouts of the soldiers, the brutal yells of the 
savages are heard. All the horrors of the battle-field 
are about to burst upon our sight. The soldiers in 
the garrison are standing at their posts in almost 
breathless anxiety, with their strained and aching 
eyes fastened on the underbrush, expecting every 
moment to see our victorious band make their 
debut, amid the cheers and huzzas of the whole 
fortress. But 0, sad reverse! A general flight 
commences. The British and Indians seem to drive 



168 



THE SWORD. 



the retreating forces like sheep to the slaughter. 
At this juncture the troops in the fort became 
almost unmanageable. There/' 'said some^ ''see 
how they are driving and cutting up our men^ our 
friends^ our beethren^ who have pressed to relieve 
us, and that right under our guns! Here we are 
with our hands in our pockets — where is the Gen- 
eral? 0, if Harrison was only in the fort!" Some 
could scarcely be restrained by the officers from 
springing over the picketing, while some wept like 
children. Messengers were dispatched through the 
lines with the information that the commander had 
received, the evening before, an express from Har- 
rison, stating that he would send on no reenforce- 
ments. While the running fight was raging in all 
its fury, an unusually black cloud, which had been 
gathering over our heads for some time, began to 
discharge its magazines of forked lightning and 
deafening thunder. In a few minutes the rain fell 
in mighty torrents. The martial flame of ardent 
warriors became quenched, and in one moment the 
clamor of battle ceased. 

We were told by prisoners, that several of Te- 
cumseh's men realized, by fatal experience, that the 
battle, so far as they were concerned, was no sham 
at all. The Irish soldiers cherished such a mortal 
hatred to their red allies, that they occasionally 
dropped in a bullet, and laid some of their finest 
braves on the ground. We were subsequently in- 
formed that, pending the engagement, the English 



THE CAPTURED BUGLE. 



169 



cavalry were posted both above and below the fort, 
under cover of the forest. Their orders were to 
rush between the a^arrison and combatants, as soon 
as a sortie might be made. It was also contem- 
plated to make a sudden assault^ by choice troops, 
on the most defenseless quarter of the camp at the 
same time. In all this our enemies were disap- 
pointed. Being much chagrined by their entire fail- 
ure, and believing the old proverb, that ^^a half of a 
loaf is better than no loaf," they confidently filed off 
to Fort Stevenson, to take that ^^for certain." But 
here they met a very disgraceful defeat. Soon after, 
the army at Meigs marched for Camp Seneca, to 
await the battle that was expected on the lake. 
There Avere the prisoners who had been taken at 
Fort Stevenson, and among them the little trum- 
peter who had so often and so untimely partly 
charmed and partly frightened us to our q^uarters. 
And Mullen — yes, Mullen — had the inexpressible 
satisfaction of giving us his best flourish on the 
captured bugle. But as slavery debases all sub- 
jected to its malign touch, the SAveet instrument 
was stripped of all that interest and melody Avith 
which peculiar circumstances had graced it. It no 
longer thrcAv its Avild notes oA-er the nocturnal soli- 
tude of the Maumee, and told a startled enemy that 
it Avas foUoAved by an army ivith banners J' In- 
deed, its legitimate OAvner, like the captive Israelite, 
could no longer breathe Avith complacency the loyal 
airs of old England '^in a strange land,'' 



170 



THE CROSS. 



XII, 

RELiaiOUS EXPERIENCE-LORENZO 

DOW. 

In entering on this subject we need not go back 
to that sweet and timely introduction which I had 
to the power of Divine grace in early childhood^ of 
w^hich we have v/ritten. Like many of the children 
of our people^ for several years I felt that vacilla- 
ting conflict so closely described by an inspi}*ed 
apostle — ''the flesh warring against the Spirit^ and 
the Spirit warring against the flesh" — now careless 
or reckless; now repenting and weeping. 

But suddenly there was a report in our land that 
a wild man — a preacher diverse from all others — was 
making his way into Lower Virginia. He had a 
solemn presentiment that his days were numbered, 
and he was drawing nigh to his terminus. In after- 
life he insisted that this decree was reversed by his 
going to preach the Gospel in England and Ireland. 
He slept on the floor, and was very abstemious. 
He received no money unless it was clear to him 
that it was to meet some pressing want — such as 
ferriage or hire of conveyance. It was reported 
that, at times, he possessed the spirit of prophecy, 
and occasionally the discernment of spirits. "We 



LOEENZO DOW. 



171 



were daily looking for liis advent; but wondered 
how it would be. One day a stranger was seen 
walking down the street with hasty strides and 
noiseless tread, with a wonderful train of children 
of all colors — at least, white, black, and yellow. 
Some preceded in double-quick time, and announced 
with great satisfaction — ^^The wild man is coming!" 
Indeed, he looked wild enough. He had a sailor 
tarpaulin on his head, a green military coatee, half- 
worn and displumed of its party-colored ornaments, 
a pair of kneebreeches, with straps and buckles 
dangling about, and his shins sans every thing," 
as Shakespeare would say. He carried a bundle of 
handbills, which he distributed freely; they were 
headed with large letters — '^Hush! and Haek ! 
This afternoon at three o'clock, Loeexzo Dow will 
preach under the Federal Oaks." He carried 
besides a package of tracts. These were sparingly 
delivered. In passing one man he would suddenly 
stop, and look as if he Avere searching into the 
inner chamber of his soul, and he would hand him 
a tract. He would then pass by several as if they 
belonged to another planet. Sometimes he would 
pass a store several yards, and then, as if arrested 
by a sudden impulse, he would wheel round and 
throw in a paper messenger. Sometimes he would 
dart across the street to give a tract to a man — the 
whole current of little ones pouring after him as 
though they expected every moment some grand 
development of which they were determined to lose 



172 



THE CEOSS. 



nothing. V/ho could blame tliem when all the 
doors, windows, and entries were crowded with 
adult gazers as excited as themselves? Children 
always take hold on religious novelties. In the 
days of our Savior they followed on and cried 
out, ^^Hosanna to the Son of David that cometh 
in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest!" 
The Pharisees here saw that their cause was gone, 
and they said among themselves, Perceive ye 
how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world has 
gone after him.'' Yes, the rising generation has 
caught the sound. But Jesus said, ^' Have ye never 
read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings 
thou hast perfected praise?" The triumph would 
not have been perfect without those juvenile 
praises. The Lord bless the children! as bad as 
they are. We have been accustomed — I mean my 
chief mate and myself — at every removal to say. 
Surely, the children of this place are the w^orst 
we have ever seen;" but Christ said, ^'Let them 
alone,'' Many that paddled after Lorenzo Dow, at 
last rolled right side up;" and some will, doubt- 
less, walk the gold-paved streets of the New Jeru- 
salem. 

At the hour appointed nearly all the stores were 
closed, and the whole population was afloat — -some 
on foot, some on horse, some in their chariots, and 
some from the country in wagons, and an immense 
congregation was found under the wide-spread 
branches of the Federal Oaks, Presently the 



LOEENZO DOAV. 173 

preacher appears. He looked round for a con- 
venient stand, and seeing an old-fasliioned chariot, 
almost unvarnished by the brush of time, that had 
a large platform behind for a footman, and a small 
window in the rear, he leaped up, and faced the 
most of the conoTeD'ation. Lorenzo was, even then, 
eccentric, but seriously so. He had not attained to 
that humorous and lauahter-rousins; vein that 
marked his discourses after he believed that God 
had added more than fifteen years to his probation. 
In the course of his remarks he spoke of family diffi- 
culties ; of children who had eaten at the same table, 
slept in the same bed, and had gone to the same 
school, yet in after-life engaged in lawsuits with 
each other; and of some who would even bring 
lawsuits against their own mother who bore them* 
He then stopped short, as by a sudden surge, and 
stooping down, he put his mouth to the Avindow of 
the carriage, and said, ^^Ah, old mammy, you know 
what I am talking about!" This startled the whole 
congregation. The talk was applicable to her, and 
her only. She was the richest matron in the town. 
Her sons had been lawing with each other, and one 
had been so unnatural as to sue his mother. 

After he had preached, he proposed to enter into 
a covenant with the people. The covenant was, 
that he would pray daily for three weeks for every 
one who would pray in like manner for themselves. 
Their agreement to this was to be manifested by 
their shaking hands with him while singing the 



174 



THE CROSS. 



concluding hymn. The congregation flocked around 
him weeping and trying to sing. I felt almost as 
if my salvation depended on entering into said cov- 
enant. My father was standing by me^ and this 
w^as a great cross. But I looked up in his face, 
and saw that he looked uncommonly mellow. I felt 
as if my heart would burst outright. I reached up 
my hand, but would not let the preacher catch my 
eye, for fear he would tell all the people what a 
bad boy I had been. As well as my memory will 
serve me, I believe I kept my promise. Some days 
I might have forgotten it, but then on other days 
I would pray double; for I was a great believer in 
the doctrine of commutation. The preacher had 
his next appointment some miles in the country. 
He was trudging along on foot, when one Mr. E., 
who had heard him under the oaks, came along in 
his chaise, and kindly gave him a lift to his ap- 
pointment. After he had preached, Mr. E. took 
leave of him, saying he had some business to do, 
but he would see him again at his next appoint- 
ment at P. Lorenzo looked at him sorrowfully, 
and said, ^^No, I feel there is a blow coming; where 
it will strike the Lord knows — ^whether on you or 
me — but I have a strong impression we will not see 
each other again in time." Mr. E. left, but had 
not gone far on his way, when his horse took fright 
and ran away; Mr. E. was flung out and killed. 

Lorenzo did not seem to aim at prophesying. 
He told some of the preachers who inquired of 



L 0 11 E N Z 0 DO W . 175 

him in regard to this matter^ that when he first 
started^ sometimes in the midst of his discourse^ an 
idea altogether foreis^n to his arrang-ement would be 

DO O 

presented, and he would reject it. In doing so he 
would plunge into darkness, mental and spiritual, 
so that at last he determined to follow such impulse, 
and then he had freedom. While we are writing 
of him, I will say that many years after, Avhen I 
was livino: in Xew Orleans, I saw him aQ:ain. When 
I entered the room where he was, and before anv 
introduction, he said to me, ^^What do you think 
of Bonny?" 

^^What Bonny?" 

^^Why, Bonaparte." 

'^He seems to be laying waste." 

Here he began to unfold to me the important 
niche that he occupied in the Apocalypse. And 
his mind seemed to be mostly occupied with Bona- 
parte and the prophets, and he seemed to forget the 
vices of Napoleon in his victories. 

Several years after I saw him down in Ohio, and 
heard him preach in my own pulpit. Then he dis- 
coursed in a funny way of courtship and matrimony, 
to the oTeat amusement of old and vouno;. Wisdom 
might be justified in all these changes, and I hope 
his life of labor was crowned with a triumphant 
end. Many were laid under conviction in his ear- 
liest labors, and in many this conviction resulted in 
bright conversions. Not so in my case. He laid 
me under contribution for some time, but my seri- 



176 



THE CEOSS. 



ousness passed away ^'like the early cloud." In 
my last voyage home as mate of a brig, as already 
observed; with a heavy charge, beating about, and 
making and taking in sail continually, on the coast, 
and driven by a long succession of snow-storms, I 
again became serious, and spent much of the short 
rest allowed me in my state-room, in prayer. On 
this occasion I attained to the condition which our 
Discipline accords to a mourner or seeker ; but I was 
without the Church. In after years I have felt 
very thankful that the Methodist Episcopal Church 
^^receiveth sinners penitent sinners. In this she 
is most apostolic. This shines out in the Gospel. 
One apostle in writing to the Church, addresses 
members in various conditions : babes j young men^ 
old menj' or sages, and this not in reference to 
their natural ages, but to their attainment. For 
the time is come when the child dies a hundred 
years old, but the sinner dying a hundred years 
old is accursed. 

An inspired apostle addresses some in the Church 
who were still carnal to a considerable extent. 
Again there were some who had been religious, but 
were fallen from grace. Ye are fallen from grace." 
Our Savior in his message to the angel of the Church 
of Ephesus says, ''Thou hast left thy first love," 
Does he excommunicate? No, but says, ''Pvepent 
and do thy first works, or else I will come unto 
thee quickly and remove thy candlestick out of his 
place, except thou repent'" He bore ''with him for 



BELIGIOUS EXPEEIENCE. 



177 



a season." And wliy? Because if backsliders can 
not be reclaimed in the Churcli^ with all her means 
of grace^ they may be irrecoverably lost Avhen cast 
out. The whole world has no remedy for the lost. 
We regard the Church of Christ as a divinely-in- 
stituted hospital, a blessed asylum for all who are 
oppressed of the devil. But while it is a hospital, 
and strains every means for a recovery, when pa- 
tients become incurable, she casts them out — ex- 
eejjt they repent ^ In these gracious times of re- 
freshing which come from the presence of the Lord, 
we have seen those who have been in the Church 
seeking salvation for one, two, sometimes three 
years, brightly converted. During their probation, 
their membership has shielded them from outbreak- 
ing sins, and when they see the bush all divinely 
fired, they begin to cast their shoes from ofip their 
feet, and cry in mighty anguish, Speak, Lord, for 
thy servant heareth." 

We have seen, with pain, our ministers, in some 
sections, insisting on unquestionable regeneration, as a 
term of Church membership.* If this should become 
general, it would destroy one of our distinct features 
as a Church, and would work ruinously. Moreover, 
it would hurt our Church only. The Calvinistic 
Churches receive those w^ho are evangelically con- 
victed, and who truly repent ; because they sincerely 



- It seems to us that, as a condition of full membership in the 
Church, it is not too much to require that the candidate shall be a 
new creature in Christ Jesus. — Ed. 



178 



THE CBOSS, 



believe that regeneration is before repentance; and 
that when the Holy Spirit truly convicts^ He will 
carry on the work to full redemption. They call 
true penitents babes in Christ/' but although babes, 
they have the promise of a full growth. We do 
not stop to contend whether they or we are right 
in doctrine. We are both right in receiving such 
characters into the Church. But if we go to receive 
only regenerated persons, according to our standard 
of regeneration, we will turn away many who in 
future years would be an ornament to our Church. 
We are well persuaded, if the question could be put 
to our whole Church, it would be found that a - 
majority of our members experienced religion in 
the Church. But unfortunately for myself, I did 
not join the Church on my return; but having 
received full wages as an officer, I strutted about in 
a suit of ^4ong togs,'' which I had purchased in 
London, and neglected the high concerns of my 
soul. This will appear by my seeking a place in a 
privateer. I feel thankful to this day that I was 
led to the war; because it was a higher principle 
that urged me on ; and in comparison with the float- 
ing hell from which I escaped, war itself was a 
minister of grace. It did not, however, add one 
cubit to my moral stature. 

When I returned from the war, the whole world 
looked gloomy and sad. I was sensible that the 
beauties of nature were in no way impaired, and 
that the wrong was in myself. I determined to 



KELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 



179 



seek a higher life. With this in view, I retired, at 
stated periods, into a garret, and prayed and medi- 
tated, and became very serious. 



180 



THE CEOSS, 



XIII. 

CAMP MEETINQ— DAWNINQ OF LIGHT. 

One day my motlier told me that she and some 
MetiLodist ladies were very anxious to go to a 
camp meeting that was to be held soon; but they 
could not go without some male person to assist 
them. I had never been to a camp meeting, and 
cheerfully consented to take the supervision of 
things. I intended not to remit my private relig- 
ious exercises. On the day appointed, we started in 
the wagon, with our tent and baggage. When we 
drew nigh to the encampment, and made a sudden 
turn in the way, a large portion of the camp broke 
upon our vision. The tents were made mostly of 
the old bleached sails of sloops and schooners, and 
sheets and coverlets, and contrasted beautifully with 
the dark-green pine forest in which they were 
pitched. When this scene suddenly broke upon us, 
this idea flashed upon my mind, ^^How goodly are 
thy tents, 0 Jacob! and thy tabernacles, 0 Israel! 
Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my 
last end be like his." This almost overwhelmed me. 
After we had established ourselves, I walked about 
the encampment, attended on the services, and did 
not forget my own religious arrangements. 



CAMP MEETING. 



181 



One dark^ rainy niglit, our young stationed 
preacher held a prayer meeting in a tent, and after 
exhorting invited those who were seeking religion 
to kneel at some chairs that were set out. I went 
with the rest. Straw was strewed over the floor, 
and although the tent did not leak much, yet the 
water, unperceived, had run under it, so that when 
we kneeled our knees plunged down in the straw 
and mud, and before midnight it became somewhat 
of an annoyance; but still I thought I gave myself 
up, altogether, to God, for time and eternity. Still 
the mxceting broke without affording any comfort. 
The next day brought no relief. In the afternoon, 
while lying alone in our tent^ bemoaning my state, 
with tears in my eyes, a beautiful girl, about twelve 
or thirteen, a daughter of one of our Methodist 
neighbors, came in, and scornfully turning up her 
nose, said, Ar'n't you ashamed, seeking religion? 
If you do n't quit this, I will never have you in the 
world," and with indignation burning on her cheeks, 
she left. This was the first that I knew that such 
a thought had ever mingled with the whimseys of 
the little innocent. This was a personification of 
the gay world — the scorn and contempt that awaited 
me. Still I thought, if I can only have salvation, I 
can surely afford that loss. 

The next morning, feeling cold and somewhat in- 
disposed, I saw Charles, a mulatto that my father 
had raised, and who Avas noAV a hackman. He was 
much attached to me, for I had taught him to read. 



182 



THE CEOSS. 



He beckoned me to his hack, and said in a confiding 
whisper, ^^I have brought a little spirit along with 
me, and I think a little dram might do you some 
good." Well, I truly believed with Charles that it 
would do me good, physically. I had been in the 
habit of meeting with other young men, when we 
would go to market for our mothers, in the dram- 
shop of a widow, where we would treat each other, 
and we did not apprehend any danger; but I had 
found out, before the camp meeting, that I had got 
so as to have no appetite for my breakfast till I 
had taken my mint sling; and I had abandoned the 
practice. It seemed to me that it would amount to 
a serious sin to take a dram in my present state. 
I refused, and opened my mind freely to Charles. 
It was not long before he got to see things in the 
same light, and became a pious Baptist miinister, 
and finally a citizen of Liberia. I mention these 
small things to show to what mean shifts the enemy 
will resort, through his various agencies, to turn 
aside one who is learning to do right. I wandered 
about the camp, and was almost driven to infidelity. 
The argument in my mind was, the Lord has said, 
'^Whosoever cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast 
out." But you have come to the Lord — come sin- 
cerely, as your own heart tells you, but he has not 
received you. Where is the promise of the Lord? 
Then this came to my mind — others have come, 
have found mercy, and are now rejoicing; therefore, 
there must be something wrong in your case. Be- 



CAMP MEETING. 



183 



sides, it does not become a mortal sinner, who has 
been so often called, and who has so often rejected 
the calls of God, to expect him to comxO promptly 
at your call. If you should call all your life long; 
and the Lord should then save you, what a great 
mercy it would be! This thought struck me with 
great force, and seemed highly reasonable. Then I 
said, I will still pray, and avoid all sin, as I have 
been striving to do, and if mercy comes at last my 
fortune will be m.ade for all eternity. 

In this frame we got into the wagon to return 
home. Aitev we had proceeded several miles, while 
some of the sisters were sins^ins: one of the sono-s of 

o o o 

Zion, strange and supernatural fire seemed to glow 
v/ithin my breast; new views, new motives, new 
purposes arose within me, I requested the wagon- 
er to stop his team awhile. I got down, walked 
ahead, and sometimes felt like leaping for joy. My 
sorrow was gone, and sweet tranquillity reigned 
within. But still I did not take this for conver- 
sion; I Avas looking for something more miraculous, 
not considering how great a miracle it was for 
peace to take possession of a sinner s soul. My tes- 
timony was very fluctuating. When a religious 
friend Avould meet me, and express the joy he felt 
on hearing of my conversion, if I was in a happy 
frame, I would say, yes, I believe I have been con- 
verted. If another would question me, while dif- 
ferently exercised, I would say, I feel there has 
been some change, but I hardly know whether it is 



184 



THE CEOSS, 



conversion. I have since believed it was justifica- 
tion without a clear evidence. 

It was not very long after this that I received 
two bright manifestations of the mercy of God, as I 
believe. The first was while I was meditating on 
Christ as a babe in the manger. All at once I was 
overwhelmed with a most unearthly transport 
of joy and peace. The second was just as I had 
prayed, laid aside my dress, and was laying my 
head upon my pillow. It seemed as if a flock 
of happy and invisible spirits were all around 
me and over me. I was as sensible of their pres- 
ence as if I had seen them with' my eyes, or 
touched them with my hands, and this was accom- 
panied with a bliss that was all celestial. Then 
this came to my mind with a definition and clear- 
ness that I had never felt before, and may add, have 
never fully realized since — ^^A joy unspeakable and 
full of glory J' And I said, ^^Lord, what is this?" 
And there came a voice to my soul — bear with me, 
reader — a voice that did not traverse my auditory 
nerve, and which my ear had nothing to do with — 
a voice as clear and as distinct to my soul as that 
of earthly sound to my ear — ^^The Spirit of the 
Lord, bearing witness with your spirit, that you 
are a child of God." Some will say, ^ ^enthusiasm!" 
Well, if it is found so at the last, it has ever been 
my safeguard from disbelief in the spiritual world. 
It has established in me the doctrine — not inde- 
pendent of the Scriptures — that the soul possesses 



CAMP M E E T 1 N a . 



185 



senses of itself, to which our outward senses are 
only mediums — mediums between the outward 
world and the inner man. But God, who is a pure 
and unmixed spirit, can operate on our inward 
senses, independently of our bodily organs. 

At this time I did not know that others had 
been so exercised; but I soon found, by reading 
and hearing the experience of the pious, that the 
Lord has manifested himself to others in similar 
waj^s. Some have had a representation of Christ to 
their spiritual sight, as Colonel Gardner; some to 
their hearing; and the Lord reveals himself to all 
Christians through their spiritual feeling. We feel, 
not physically, but spiritually, the Spirit of God 
bearing witness with our spirit that we are born of 
God. We do not believe that these extra manifest- 
ations exalt those who receive them, in point of 
Christian distinction, above the youngest child of 
grace; nor do we believe that it adds any force to 
their justification. I believe I was as much ac- 
cepted when I first felt the free grace of God, in 
the camp meeting wagon, homeward bound, as I 
was under these extra manifestations. I give them 
as circumstances in my experience. I had united 
myself with the Church by giving my hand to the 
venerable John Potts, in the absence of the preacher 
in charge. There were, now, only three young men 
in the Church in P. — Louis Lasart, Henry Tatum, 
A. M. Lorrain. We concluded that we midit min 

o o 

much by forming ourselves into a band. We met 

16 



186 



THE CROSS. 



first on one Sunday morning, in the meeting-house. 
Louis was a Frenchman^ but could talk tolerable 
English. He had been raised a Eoman Catholic, 
and understood something about confession before 
he was converted. And he understood, from our 
Discipline, that, to be faithful to the band, we must 
turn our hearts w^rong side out. He began to tell 
his experience, and presently came to a place where 
he received a backset, while courting a young lady. 
He must needs enter upon this narrative; and he 
did it with so much sincerity and earnestness — the 
tears streaming down his cheeks — while he entered 
into particulars, laboring on in his broken English, 
that Tatum and myself began to shake like aspen- 
leaves. We found this would not do; and I told 
them I thought we would do better in the classes 
amono; the old folks. Ever since this I have been 
opposed to young men's prayer meetings, or young 
ladies' meetings. Old Christians, when they get 
right happy, are simple and childish enough for 
any thing. 

I now lived a life of faith. My peace was like a 
river. I had full confidence in the Church, and 
esteemed all the brethren better than myself. I 
looked upon the female members as sisters in all 
purity ; I can not express the celestial chastity with 
which I regarded them — so diverse from all I had 
experienced before. Here let me ask, has any soul 
ever walked in the light and power of their first 
love for forty or fifty years without wavering? I 



CAMP MEETING. 



187 



do not ask if it can be done. The Bible, to me, is 
clear on this point: ''The path of the just is as 
the shining light, that shinetli more and more unto 
the perfect day." This is God's provision, but who 
realizes it? Well may we say, ''What troubles 
have we seen, what trials have we passed!" The 
preacher, having prepared to attend Conference, 
proposed for me to lead his class in the middle of 
the week. From this I shrunk back dismayed. But 
he urged it so vehemently that I got alarmed at 
my own obstinacy, and finally consented. As the 
day advanced, the cross loomed up heavier and 
heavier. I made it a matter of prayer, telling the 
Lord that he knew I was not sufficient for that 
work, and that I hoped no one would come. At 
the appointed time I attended, and found the sex- 
ton brushing the benches. We waited there a long 
time, and. although it was a beautiful dav, not one 
member came. This filled me with s^ratitude ; for I 
verily believed my prayer was heard — and I think 
so still. Many a colt has been spoiled by prema- 
ture harnessing. 



188 



THE CKOSS 



NEW ORLEANS-FIRST SERMON. 

I HAD now to look around for something to do. 
I had been in a great measure weaned from the 
sea^ and determined to abandon it. No business 
presented itself where I Avas. My oldest brother, 
who was a counselor at law. in New Orleans^ invited 
me to come there; and I concluded to go. Brother 
PottS; who received me into the Churchy told my 
mother he Avas sorrv I had made that decision. 
He did not see how a young Christian could stand 
the seductions of New Orleans. He wished I could 
continue on the sea. He thought that the power 
of God^ as displayed on the great deep^ was calcu- 
lated to cherish religious emotions in a soul already 
under the influence of Divine grace. His views 
influenced me considerably; so that^ while on my 
way to Norfolk to embark for New Orleans, I be- 
came undecided and distressed. As soon as I 
arrived at the hotel, some of my young sea-friends 
crow^ded around, and one said in a loud voice, 
^^Why, L., we have heard that you have been con- 
verted, and have joined the Methodists; is it so?" 
I answered in a dignified tone, but as loud, ^^What 
you have heard is certainly true." 



NEW OKLEANS — FIRST SERMON. 189 



^^Well^ tliat is curious^ for a sailor to join the 
Methodists!" 

This gave me an opportunity to ^^show cause;" 
and in a little Avhile they began to slip away. The 
gentlemen around looked at me as a curiosity, 
smiling — some, as I thought, with scorn — some, 
with approbation. I Avas still undecided in my 
course. I attended the Methodist Church in the 
evening. The introductory hymn was, 

"God moves in a mysterious way, 
His wonders to perform." 

As thev were sinoino;, 

" Ye fearful souls, fresh courage take, 
The clouds ye so much dread 
Are big with mercy, and shall break 
In blessings on your head," 

light, joy, and comfort came down, and my pathway 
to New Orleans shone bright. An intelligent and 
genteel young man, who belonged to the same vol- 
unteer company that I did during the war, took 
passage with me. I soon made known to him my 
views and determinations ; and although Ave some- 
times disputed on doctrine, yet he always treated 
me with great respect and consideration ; and, as 
we had the cabin to ourselves, we had an aoTeeable 
voyage. When we arrived at the city, and looked 
around, it seemed to be given up, to a great extent, 
to idolatry. The holy Sabbath was generally un- 
heeded, or made a day of merriment; and, so far 
from being drawn into the vortex, my soul shrunk 



190 



THE OEOSS. 



back from the gulf of immorality. I first got a 
place under my brother, who had been appointed 
naval-officer of the port. As he still attended to 
his law business, he made me his deputy in the 
revenue business, and the principal weight of that 
concern rested upon me. This at once brought me 
into business acquaintance with the merchants — ■ 
French and English — of that city; and happily, as 
I thought, this was mostly the principal social con- 
nection of that people. It was often said by strang- 
ers, that, when they would inquire of a man if his 
partner was a married man, he could not tell. 
After the business of the day was over, I would 
retire to my room, where I could read, meditate, 
and pray, and enjoy the company of a very amiable 
family that boarded me. 

About this time Clarke's Notes were published in 
pamphlet form, and I became a subscriber. It was 
a great advantage that it came out periodically, so 
that I could study each number in course. But I 
longed for the preaching of the Word. When I 
saw my friends buying tickets for the theater once 
or twice in the week, I felt how glad I would be 
to hear sermons at the same price! We were not 
entirely destitute of preaching; there was a gentle- 
man of learning, who had been employed by some 
to preach on the Sabbath, or rather to read. But 
he was not regarded as an experimental Christian. 
One Sunday in reading the morning service he 
came nigh tilting over two or three times. This 



NEW OKLEANS — FIRST SERMON. 191 



startled the congregation. But when he ascended 
the pulpit and spread out his manuscript, he began 
to read; but after a while he looked very quizzi- 
cally at his Avriting, and began to talk nonsense. 
The people, who seemed to have some idea about 
ministerial decorum, poured out of the house in a 
stream. A committee was appointed to investigate 
the affair. They reported that the parson was not 
intoxicated, as some had supposed, but had ahvays 
been in the habit of taking a little opium to im- 
prove his elocution ; but as he had a particular sub- 
ject on hand, he had that morning taken an over- 
dose. A sea captain who Avas present, exclaimed, 
Worse and worse! we thought he had got drunk 
on brandy or wine, like a Christian ; but it seems 
he got drunk on opium, like a Turk!'' We, how- 
ever, attended his ministry to set an example of 
Church-going. One evening as I was going to my 
lodging, I heard in the upper faubourg a Methodist 
tune. It thrilled through my soul and body. And 
although it was raining and the roads muddy, I 
was determined to find it out. The sound brouQ:ht 
me to an old cabin. There was hardly a whole 
pane in the windows; it was filled with Africans, 
and a colored man who had come down in a flat- 
boat was telling the simple story of the Cross. His 
congregation rolled their eyes as if a new dispensa- 
tion had opened upon them. I stood at the window 
in the rain; and while the preacher was happy 
within, my soul was happy without. Surely that 



192 



THE CEOSS. 



was one of the richest evenings I had in the 
South. Brethren who smile at this, may have 
never known what it is to feel a famine of the 
"Word of God. 

I had been tAvo or three months in Orleans, be- 
fore I discovered a Methodist in the place. It was 
announced one Sunday that a Baptist missionary 
would preach in the afternoon. He seemed to be 
a plain, pious man, but only a slender preacher. 
After dismissal I spoke to him, and he invited me 
to take tea with him. The gentleman with Avhom 
he stopped earnestly backed the invitation, and it 
was accepted. In the course of the evening it ap- 
peared that this gentleman was also a Baptist. I 
was acquainted with him in business transactions, 
but did not know that he was a professor of religion. 
He informed me that he knew two very Avorthy 
Methodists in the city, and directed me where to 
find them. I lost no time in hunting them up. 
These were old brother Nabb and his Avife. Brother 
Nabb and myself had often passed and repassed 
each other, with mutual suspicious glances, but 
neither had courage to challenge. He was a plain 
German, had been there fourteen years before me, 
and had been twice put in the calaboose for exhort- 
ing the negroes on the levee to turn from the Avrath 
to come. By the means of this couple I found out 
another Methodist. Now we began to muster our 
forces. There were four Methodists, three or four 
Baptists, and a few Presbyterians. We agreed to 



KEW OELEANS — FIRST SERMON. 193 

establish a prayer meeting on one night in the 
week^ and to labor to gather up any religious per- 
sons who mii;ht visii the citv from time to time. 
This prayer meeting was very singular, wavering 
with the seasons and commerce. Sometimes the 
large room Avas nearly filled ; at other times we 
were reduced to our original numiber. Presently 
we had an addition to the Methodists — brother 
Hyde, of Xevr York, and Captain Pray, of Brook- 
Ivn, and their families. We now made a class, and 
appointed Captain Pray leader. And the brethren 
of other Churches attended; for, in the absence of 
all preachers, Ave were firmly united. 

After a while brother Pray said, '^Brother L., 
I have been deeply exercised about our condition 
here. We are in no Conference, no district, no cir- 
cuit; indeed, we are without the jurisdiction of 
Methodism. We have called for help, and have 
received none. It has latelv struck me that the 
Lord has placed some recourse within ourselves. 
There is surely some one among us who ought to 
feed these poor sheep." 

To this I readily assented, and urged him to take 
this matter in hand, as I knew, from his manner in 
leading the class, that he would be acceptable. 
This, he said, Avas not Avhat he was aiming at by 
any means; but in looking over the society, he con- 
cluded I Avas the man. I told him he Avas certainly 
mistaken, as I Avas not sufficient for that thing. 

He, however, rencAved this kind of talk from time 

17 



194 



THE CBOSS. 



to time, till one Sunday morning, when the class 
was met; and our friends of other Churches were 
present, he took me out into the back porch, and 
said he would decide my case on the answer of a 
single question: '^Knowing you to be a man of 
truth, answer me before God if you have had no 
impressions on your mind that it is your duty to 
preach?" Here he drove me into a corner. I ac- 
knowledged that this was the case, but argued that 
the American population of that city was uncom- 
monly intelligent, considering their number; and I 
had thought, if my impression was Divine, that the 
providence of God would open a way to some people 
who might be benefited by my talents, poor as they 
were. Now he became urgent for me to go into 
the class-room, and preach a short sermon. Sup- 
posing that, after hearing me, he would be better 
satisfied with letting me alone, I promised on con- 
dition of his taking it up in case of failure. So, 
after getting my mind somewhat composed, I took 
the Book and gave out as a text, ^^What I say 
unto you, I say unto all, watch." I spoke about 
thirty minutes, and then slunk back into my seat, 
supposing he would stop all leaks, and clap on a 
few backstays or bobstays; but he rose up, and 
very coolly observed, ^/ Next Sunday evening, 
brother L. will preach in my large upper 
room." I expostulated with him, after meeting, 
but he said, ''It's all right." I told him, as the 
appointment was out, I would try to meet it, but 



NEW ORLEANS — FIRST SERMON. 195 



he really must not rush me on in that way. Our 
people told all their acquaintances^ and next Sun- 
day evening there was a large congregation. "We 
had hardly closed before JVext Sunday evening'' 
was again heard. And so it went on till the house 
became crowded. But now we received the joyful 
intelligence that a Methodist missionary, for New 
Orleans, had left Baltimore. Our little society was 
glad, but none so glad as myself. He got there 
late one Saturday afternoon. On Sunday even- 
ing our usual place of worship was crowded. I 
held back till late, and then slipped into the back 
of the congregation, where I might hear with- 
out let or hinderance. The missionary was at the 
stand, frequently looking at his watch. At last he 
stretched forward his head, and said, ^^Is brother 
L. in the congregation?" Yes," said one, ^^here 
he is, back here." ^^I wish to see him." Sup- 
posing he only wanted me to close the service, I 
walked forward. 

Brother, it is high time to begin." 
^^I think it is." 

'^Well, you had better go at it." 

This astonished me, and I verv decidedlv de- 
clined, telling him that the whole congregation was 
expecting to hear him; that they had been for 
years without any regular ministry, and it would 
be a great disappointment if he did not preach. 

'^Well, if you don't intend to preach, get up and 
tell them so, and dismiss them, or I will do it for 



196 



THE CEOf'S. 



you. It is your appointment, and I assure you I 
shall not preach, this night." 

I reflected a moment, and saw clearly that such 
a course would greatly injure him at the commence- 
ment. And I preached, but fully resolved that no 
more such pranks should be played with me, and 
that my sermons should be few and far between dur- 
ing his administrations. Happy was I in the con- 
sideration that I had no more appointments out. 
But I knew not my man. 



DI VEES LABORS. 



197 



LAND-OFFICE RECEIVER-DIVERS 
LABORS. 

Bkother Mark Moore was considerably advanced 
in years. He was a classical man, deeply pious, 
generally a good preacher, and sometimes overwhelm- 
ing. He was, however, subject to a very troublous 
disease — the hypo. He did not at all recognize it, 
but in all good conscience pronounced it sickness. 
He held a theory that the earthquake, like the 
comet, had its appointed race; that in former ages 
it trampled furiously across, our continent, as may 
be seen by the deep dells, precipices, and scattered 
rocks that abound in our country; that it was now 
playing its game beyond seas, but would very soon 
visit this part of its orbit again. Then he would 
start, look wildly, woe-begone, and say, Brother 
L., do you feel thatf 

^^What?" 

'^Why, the trembling of the earth. I feel it 
every few days, and just now distinctly. I am sur- 
prised that you can not feel such a sensible move." 

'^Brother Moore, you are certainly mistaken; the 
earth never was more solid." 

''It is you who are mistaken. I have a peculiar 



198 



THE CHOSS. 



discernment of earthquakes." "When he was in this 
mood all was over with him; he was sick, and man 
Friday had to stand up. 

Our little society now began to stir. A gentle- 
man who was friendly to our Church, and whose 
wife was a Methodist, offered us the upper part of 
a large tobacco warehouse, on condition of our fit- 
ting it up, as a preaching-place, with the privilege 
of our removing our improvements, if the property 
had to pass from his hands. The room was 100 
by 80. We purchased heavy cotton, and nailed 
it to the posts that supported the rafters on both 
sides, put up a pulpit draped in baize, and then put 
up stairs, outside of the building, by which our con- 
gregation might ascend. The returned captives 
were not more pestered in putting up the temple 
at Jerusalem than we were. Some said one thing, 
and some said another; but the majority thought 
it was an immense object. No respectable person 
would attend, and what lady would climb up the 
steep, open stairway. All we could say was, ''Not 
many great, not many noble, not many mighty are 
called." But when worship was opened, they came 
crowding from north, south, east, and west. The 
ladies tripped up stairs right gracefully; for there 
were no hoops worn in that day. Mr. M — n, bless 
you, the king merchant of New Orleans, came bust- 
ling up with all his family, and looked right glad 
to get a seat; and brother Moore laid the vast con- 
gregation under contribution of tears. I should 



DIVEES LABORS. 



199 



not have blamed him if he had felt the earth quake 
that day. I had not been long in Xew Orleans, 
when the commission of Receiver of public mon- 
eys for lands of the United States in the Eastern 
District of Louisiana'' was sent me by Mr. Madison. 
I had to get security to the amount of thirty thou- 
sand dollars. 

^^Now," said my brother, where will you get 
that?" 

I am acquainted with a Baptist gentleman who 
is very Vv^ealthy, and professes strong friendship for 
me." 

^^If that is all your dependence, I am sorry for 
you; but go and try." 

I called on m.y friend, and told him I was ap- 
pointed to the Land- Office. 

'^0, how glad I am! you will now be perma- 
nently fixed among us." 

^^Tes, but I have to give security in thirty thou- 
sand dollars; and I have called to see if you could 
accommodate me. It is only a nominal thing, the 
security, as the lands in this district will not be 
sold for many years, and we will only receive our 
regular salary." 

Here his countenance fell, and he said he could 
not go my security in whole or in part. 

But if I do not get this security, brother, I will 
lose this fine office." 

''I shall be very sorry indeed for that, but I can 
not accommodate you." 



200 



THE CROSS. 



When I returned^ my brother laughed heartily 
at me. '^Now/' said he, ^^I Avill go out and try 
my luck. It is certainly a very heavy security." 
As he passed down the street, he met a very dis- 
tinguished lawyer, who hooked arms with him, and 
wished him to go with him. My brother told him 
he would like to do so, but he had set out to pro- 
cure security for his brother, who had just been 
appointed to the Land-Office. ^^Why, I did not 
know you had a brother. Come along ; I '11 go his 
security." This afforded my brother great amuse- 
ment, and myself some mortification. When my 
friend asked me if I had got that security, and I 
told him yes, a gentleman who had never yet seen 
me kindly offered to go my security, he looked 
comical too. 

Mr. Larned, a young Presbyterian minister from 
the East, preached a few times in the city, and was 
employed by the Presbyterians and their adherents. 
He was a very amiable young man, highly polished, 
and of popular manners. He went home to prepare 
for a permanent residence. He returned in the ship 
on a Sabbath, and the people generally expected he 
would occupy our tabernacle. This was not known 
to brother Moore, and he, of course, prepared to 
preach. Here was saddled on me, perhaps, the 
heaviest cross I had to bear in the morning of my 
experience. Just before brother Moore began, here 
came in Mr. Larned and all his staff, and the house 
was well filled. Our preacher had asked him in 



DIVEES LABORS. 201 

the pulpit; and a considerable conversation passed 
between tliem. Presently the preacher requested 
thcit brother L. would come in the stand. I had got 
to understand some of his facial expressions^ and 
moved up with some considerable timidity. 

'^Here^ brother L., you will have to preach this 
afternoon." 

"0, not at all; brother! Here is brother Larned. 
All the congregation expects him to preach." 

''^0, brother L., I have been several weeks 
knockins; about at sea, and I have nothino; in the 
world to preach." 

I could not comprehend this reason — how these 
several weeks of perfect leisure on the solitude of 
the ocean should incapacitate him. I looked up to 
brother Moore, and saw that his sickness" was 
upon hini; and the prospect hopeless. In the mean 
time, Larned seized me by the arm, and pulled me 
up. I will not say, reader, that there was nothing 
like natural spunk creeping over my nerves. I 
rose up and preached; yes, through mercy, I 
preached. There are times when men may speak 
honestly of themselves. When our Lord said of 
Nathaniel, and to his face, " Behold an Israel- 
ite, indeed, in whom there is no guile," Xathaniel 
asked with childish innocence, ^^How knowest thou 
me?" He felt himself that he was without guile; 
but the curiosity with him was — how the Savior 
knew it. So, laying aside all voluntary humility, 
I carried the rag off from the bush that day. 



202 



THE GROSS, 



Some, who were not in the habit of going to 
church, said, ^^Does the Deputy preach?" Others 
said, ^^Well, if we can raise up preachers from 
among us, where is the necessity of importation?" 
Brother Moore was well pleased for more than one 
reason; and he lectured me severely on my diffi- 
dence, and finally said I was a greater preacher 
than Mr. Larned. 

''Why, what do you mean?" 

''I mean that, although you are not so. flowery, 
and so well drilled in elocution, yet if each of you 
were required to preach on a text you had never 
thought of, you would beat him." 

This made me feel cheap, under a consciousness 
that my sermon was not the impulse of the moment. 
I had been plowing with Adam Clarke, and had 
learned that it was a shame for a minister to say, 
''I am not prepared." And as I was liable to so 
many traps, I had concluded always to have at 
least a frame-work standing in my mind ready for 
clapboarding and shingling; and I thought that 
Mr. Larned could almost shake sermons out of his 
coat sleeve. A little while after I was speaking to 
a lady of a beautiful sermon he had preached on 
the Sabbath. She smiled, and said, ''It was very 
pretty, but you had the advantage of me in hearing 
it." "Why?" "You know his office adjoins my 
room, and I heard it preached six times last 
week — once a day — as audibly as I heard it on 
Sabbath." This labor of love did not lessen my 



DIVERS LABORS. 



203 



esteem for liim, but it disabused me of the idea of 
his preaching without labor. One Sabbath he 
preached on the unconditional perseverance of the 
saints. His argument was — a Christian might com- 
mit any crime in the catalogue of human vices — '*he 
may steal, get drunk, yea, murder, if he will; but 
here is our stronghold — no child of God can will to 
do such things." On going home I saw him seated 
in the open parlor of a Presbyterian lady ; he hailed 
me, and asked me to step in. 

^^How did you like my doctrine to-day?" 

^^You know, of course, we Methodists don't be- 
lieve a Avord of it." 

Where was it deficient?" 

^^You said a child of God might get drunk or 
even murder." 

^^Yes, but observe— ^ i/ 7^6 will;' but it is morally 
impossible for him to willJ' 

^*Do you not believe David Avas a child of God?" 

^^Yes." 

^•'But David sinned—' 

Here the Presbyterian sister rushed out of the 
other room, and said, ^^Yes, brother L., you have 
him there; for David did actually commit adul- 
tery with Uriah's wife." This raised a laugh and 
blush from both of us, and lest the lady, in her 
vehemence, should enter into particulars, I fled — 
quite pleased with handling him in this shorter 
way J' 

Mr. Larned was of a handsome exterior, and had 



204 THE CKOSS. 

he lived a few years would have been the brightest 
shaft in the ministerial quiver of the Presbyterian 
Church. But^ alas! he finished his course in two 
years, lamented by all. 

To finish this sketch. At the General Conference 
in Boston, being sent to assist a Presbyterian min- 
ister, in one of the suburban villages, as we were 
sitting in his study I saw a small picture hanging 
over the mian tie-piece ; approaching closer, I ex- 
claimed, ^^My friend Larned!" There he was, in 
all the bloom and beauty of youth, though nearly 
fifty years had intervened. 

We were getting rich in preachers now. The 
Baptist minister still labored among us. He heard 
me preach one day, and afterward called to see 
me — no doubt with the kindest intention, for he 
was a good man — and in a very delicate way began 
to show me wherein I had perpetrated heresy. And 
as our Churches were just organized, it became us 
to watch over each other in love. 

Wherein have I erred from the truth?'' 

'^Why, we have judged, from your sermon, that 
you do not believe in the preexistence of Jesus 
Christ." 

We believe firmly in his divinity.'' 
^^Yes; but you do not believe in the eternal 
existence of his humanity." 
Certainly not." 
He labored hard to recover me; and finally, wax- 
ing warm, he notified me that he would make known 



DIVEES LABORS. 



205 



his discovery to my minister : ^' He will correct it, 
and put an end to this error." 

He laid in his charge to brother Moore : ^' Brother 
L. does not believe that the humanity of Christ is 
from all eternity." 

'^Do you believe it?'^ 

^^Yes." 

^^Well^ my dear brother, you are in error. And 
if you were charged before the Baptist Church, and 
would not recant, they would expel you." 

He took considerable pains to put him right, and 
the Baptist minister, before he left, requested to let 
it ^^fall in the w^ater," as the French say. 

There were some colored people in the city who 
used to be Methodists, and they applied to our 
Church to give them a leader, as they were not 
permitted to meet without a Avhite man of char- 
acter. No one among our white members was will- 
ing to take up this cross. After considering the 
thing in all its bearings, although the most public 
man among them, I consented to lead them. This 
class grew fast. The masters generally w^ould give 
them a certificate that they were willing to put 
them, under my religious instruction. They were 
as pious a band of Africans as ever assembled 
together. Eeligion seemed to be their all. They 
hired an indifferent buildins; at a verv extravaQ;ant 
rate. When the day would come to raise their 
quarterly rent, after meeting they would march up 
to the stand, and almost cover it with notes and 



206 



THE CROSS. 



silver — money tliey had earned on Saturday, or by 
privileges their owners had accorded them. Some, 
from their appearance, needed the money them- 
selves; but they seemed to plank it down with 
great glee. I never saw the like among whites or 
blacks, except in Honnold's settlement, on the 
Zanesville circuit. When they Avould come up, on 
the day appointed for the collection of quarterage, 
and almost cover the table with their money, it 
would always carry my mind back to my Orleans 
Blues. It was rather a fearful work to lead this 
class. Many would stop and eavesdrop during the 
exercises. One day a powerful-built man seemed 
to get very happy, and wound up in a voice that 
might have been heard half through the square, 
''Glory be to God! we will take New Orleans yet'' 
This made me tremble, and I peeped out of the 
window. 

One of our class was a preacher, and quite popu- 
lar among his fellow-servants; and when he joined 
the Baptists they were greatly aggrieved. The 
Baptist missionary had an immense crowd to see 
the immersion. But Hawkins shook off the muddy 
water of the Mississippi, and returned to his own 
company, and said he was all Methodist, only he 
wanted to be dipped. Our colored class became 
very large before I left the place. 



LICENSED TO PKEACH. 



207 



LICENSED TO PREACH-LIFE IN 
NEW ORLEANS. 

Heaeing that the Mississippi Conference was to 
sit^ about thirty miles beyond the loke, the society 
delegated me to attend it, and, if possible, to per- 
suade the Bishop to come over to our city and see 
the society. My brother wishing to cross the lake, 
we rigged up one of our revenue boats, and sailed 
over. "When I arrived at the house where the 
Conference was to assemble, it was found that we 
had mistaken the time by one week. But the 
brother who owned the farm insisted on my stay- 
ing. The farm was surrounded by a dense forest, 
as far as I could see, of several miles, and seemed 
to me a drearv solitude ; but while walkins; down 
the lane, in the evening hour, meditating like Isaac, 
but not under the same expectation, Bishop M'Ken- 
dree and his traveling companions hove in view. 
He was much surprised at finding me in that 
region, as the last time he saw me was in old Vir- 
ginia, and not grown. When the Conference assem- 
bled, there were about seventeen preachers. The 
most of them Avere entertained bv our farmer- 
brother with princely kiadness ; and, as the session 



208 



THE CKOSS. 



was held in his house, we had not far to walk. I 
had never encountered Methodist ministers in a 
body. As they had met me singly they appeared 
of very solemn aspect. I was not prepared to ap- 
preciate the high key to which their nerves were 
strung by a joyful meeting, after twelve months of 
excessive labor, and long good behavior, and their 
spicy wit and jovial jokes almost gave me offense, 
and I came very near concluding that I was about 
the best man there except the Bishop. A number 
of us slept in one room, and, while I was saying 
my prayers, one raised up his head and said. 
Brother, if you do n't hurry on that prayer, you 
will be left in the dark, for your candle is 'most 
out;" and he really kept his ear up, as if he ex- 
pected an answer. The Bishop finally concluded he 
could not go with me to New Orleans, nor could he 
tell when we would have a visitation. A few days 
after our return, he, in company with brother 
Winans, suddenly appeared among us. One day, 
while seated in a private house— among several 
members, male and female — he said, with his own 
peculiar smile, ^'Brethren, I pronounce this a quar- 
terly conference. You are in no Conference, no 
district, no circuit. I say this is a quarterly con- 
ference; and, if any object, or dispute my authority, 
show your objections." 

^'No objections. "Well, if you have any business, 
bring it forward." 

One said, ^^We have not much business, but we 



LIFE IN NEW ORLEANS. 



209 



wish brother L. licensed. I immediately ro.se up 
and said, ^^I had made no such request." ''Well, 
brother, you will not set up your judgment against 
the Church." The vote was put, and the Bishop 
wrote my first license. This was the way they 
made me a preacher; but I have always contended 
that I was a preacher before they touched me. 

My eldest brother, Edwin, was residing in the 
city before I went there. The brother next younger 
than myself, Thomas, soon moved there, and pub- 
lished a popular paper, which kept a strict oversight 
of the city fathers and sanitary officers — mostly 
French — who cared very little about the cleanliness 
of the place, because they knew that what would 
poison Americans would fatten themselves. They, 
however, subscribed liberally to the paper, to learn 
what was said about them; and our labor was not 
in vain. My third and youngest brother, John, 
who was an artist, came out last, and got a profit- 
able place in the custom-house. My manner of liv- 
ing was on the bachelor order, which was pretty 
much the ruling order in those days. AVe might 
give a specimen of our fixings and rambles. 

In order to secure an occasional retreat from the 
busy scenes of life, I fitted up a small building, 
which stood in a retired situation, behind my broth- 
er's printing-office. It was so surrounded by loftier 
tenements, as to throw the incessant rattling of 
drays and noisy hum of men in the dull distance. 
We have nothing romantic to record concerning the 



210 



THE CKOSS. 



house of our pilgrimage. There was no spreading 
beech^ with ^^old fantastic roots'' — no cooling fount- 
ains — no well-dressed garden, breathing rich per- 
fumes; but, contrariwise, Jamestown weed and dog- 
fennel, of luxurious growth. It was, however, a 
place of comparative quietude; and that was all to 
me. It was no light task to establish a closet in 
the Orescent City; and, moreover, to make a full con- 
fession — ^^my public shame — my solitary pride!" — 
I made poetry in those days. A novice would say, 
'^The cloud-capped mountains, the flowery vale, the 
embowered garden, perspiring celestial fragrance'' — 
these are the scenes where the Muses love to frolic, 
and dispense their richest favors. But sour ex- 
perience says, 'Nsij. The somber and unfurnished 
room, where no ^Svoodbines flaunt — no roses shed a 
couch" — where sweat and ink ooze in close affinity — 
where, indeed, there is no production of nature or 
art to rival, in beauty, Webster's Dictionary — there 
is the palace of song, the factory of poesy. "Well, 
here we wrought till we found that all the best 
rhyming words were used up, and there was no 
new jingle under the sun. This will, by and by, be 
the case in regard to prose. The only advantage it 
has now, is, that the rhymeless words are in the 
majority, and, consequently, can run more changes 
and transpositions. But as the words are finite, 
and men and women will talk and write perpetually, 
there must come a time when they will have to stop, 
not only for ''lack of argument," but lack of sound, 



LIFE IN NEW ORLEANS. 



211 



unless they go on, as our poets now do, not knowing 
they are mere echoes. This is our comfort in regard 
to the novelists. When they have made all the lies 
that can be shaped in the English language, then 
will their end come. 

But, if this is the case, it behooves us, also, to 
'^make hay while the sun shines.'' So to return to 
our narrative. A high board-fence separated my 
homestead from a building of similar structure. 
Vv"ho lived there — whether they were English or 
Irish — whites or quadroons, were questions which 
did not concern us. AYe used, then, to live strictly 
up to the good rule, ^'Let not your left hand know 
what yotir right hand doeth." We Southerners 
were not busy-bodies in other men's matters. A 
certain nevr-comer, in remarkino- on- this sino-ularitv, 
said that, in questioning a merchant closely, in 
regard to the domestic matters of his partner, he 
could not tell him whether he was a single or mar- 
ried man. We suspect, however, that he would 
not, for this simple reason — it was nobody's busi- 
ness, and the unmannerlv stranQ:er Avas breakins; in 
upon our order of things. This habit might seem 
unsocial in some ; but it is abundantly better than 
the gossiping and backbiting of some folks, who 
attend to every body's business better than they do 
to their own. 

On one occasion, hov\-ever, I was compelled to pry 
into my neighbor's matters. On Christmas eve I 
had retired earlier than usual, and had begun to 



212 



THE CROSS. 



doze comfortably, when I was disturbed by a low, 
murmuring sound of distress, occasionally mingled 
with groans and sobs. The little gate was ever and 
anon swinging on its hinges; and every new visitor 
seemed to swell the tide of woe. This did not make 
me unhappy; it only roused my sympathy, and 
turned the tide of thought into a more serious and 
mournful channel; for, in those days of youthful 
piety, whether I wept with those who wept, or smiled 
with those who smiled, still my God was with me, 
and I had peace within. It is true, even then, I 
had heard of the ^^hypo" with the hearing of the 
ear; but I had placed it in the catalogue of ^^Old 
"Wives' Fables.'' ,1 said to myself, ^^Oan this be a 
wake?" Stealing softly from my bed, and peeping 
through the fence, I saw the house was brilliantly 
lit up, the doors and windows spread wide open, 
and there was a corpse, surrounded by relatives 
and friends, who had come to weep with the house- 
hold. My heart was touched; for never had I wit- 
nessed grief more sincere — more natural. Having 
again retired, I soon fell asleep; but not so soundly 
as to be wholly unconscious of what was passing 
around. The weeping and the wailing mingled with 
my dreaming fancies: the earth seemed to be float- 
ing in a sea of tears, and charity and faith were 
still in wild disordered exercise. 

About midnight the clock began to strike. At 
every stroke the tempest of sorrow rose higher and 
higher. ^'Nine, ten, eleven, twelve!'' Just then 



LIFE IN NEW ORLEANS. 



213 



the afflicted crowd broke loose in one united, and, 
as I felt, infernal laugh. They sprang to their feet, 
and danced, and fiddled, and romped, and laughed 
again, louder and still louder. My mind, in the 
mean time, took a complete somerset, and I ex- 
claimed, Surely the devil's abroad in the land!" 
I felt that he was rummaging in every corner of 
my room, rolling and tittering under my bed, try- 
ing to scramble up into my soul, whether I would 
or not. My flesh crawled — the hair of my head 
seemed to rise. I sprang from my bed, with my 
eyes shut, of course, for I strangely felt that the 
testimony of sight was all that was lacking in 
bringing me in open and manifest contact with the 
wicked oneJ' I hastily threw on my clothes, and 
rushed into the street, slamming the door behind 
me, and hastened to leave the unnatural merriment. 
The cool and bracing air of midnight, so peculiar to 
Orleans, pressed my throbbing temples with its 
friendly breath, and seemed to Avhisper, ^^How 
mean, how niggardly mean, that the devil could not 
allow one poor Christian, and he 'less than the 
least,' the small space of six feet by three, within 
the bounds of his nocturnal range!" The enemy 
might have had more to do with my heart on other 
occasions; but never before had I realized such an 
experimental verity of his presence — in proper 
person. 

I passed on to a region of quietude; for there is 
commonly an hour or two of silence, out of twenty- 



! 



214 



THE CROSS. 



four, even in that babbling city — that conventicle 
of every language and every faith. As I passed 
down by the great church, the door being ajar, I 
discovered that there was a light within. Prompt- 
ed by curiosity, I slipped in, and beheld an unusual 
sight. In one corner of the church had been 
erected a manger — a rough temporary shed, such as 
we find connected with almost every cabin in new 
settlements. About a cart-load of straw was piled 
in the center. Two animals, of the size of a New^- 
foundland dog, in carved work, were stationed on 
the right and left. It would have saved strangers 
an abundance of perplexity, if the artist had 
printed on one, ''The ox,'' and on the other, ''The 
ass." But, as I had some idea of the drift of it, it 
was made out. Joseph and Mary were as large as 
life, and dressed in royal robes, richly spangled 
with gold and silver, and sparkling jewels, suffi- 
ciently imposing — as we thought — to have secured 
a reception at the inn, if the Eoman emperor and 
all his tetrarchs had been guests. The blessed Vir- 
gin was placed, according to our Protestant notions, 
in a very improper attitude, and the babe presented 
a strange appearance. Two angels were perched 
upon the eaves of the shed, and gazing on the 
group below. I was soon satisfied with the poorly- 
contrived fixment, and would have retired; but 
thinking it was more tolerable than the loud Satanic 
"ha! ha!" that had dispossessed me of my lodgings, 
I concluded to sit down to see the end of the mat- 



LIFE IN NEW ORLEANS. 



215 



ter. As the clay began to dawn, the entry and 
aisles became vocal with the prattlhig of infantile 
devotees — groups of smiling children, bearing their 
offerings to the consecrated manger. It was divert- 
ing to see their buoyant and exulting joy when 
they first saw the babe. Candies, raisins, kisses, 
cakes, and other sacrifices, all costly, no doubt, in 
their young imagination, were freely thrown into 
the manger, till the straw was almost hid under 
the profusion of ^^good things" that had been show- 
ered upon it. That morning's exhibition lightened 
my mind of one mystery which had been hanging 
about it. At other religious festivals we had seen 
some of our fellow-citizens, who were evidently men 
of strong minds, liberal education, and polished 
manners, who nevertheless succumbed to the most 
disgusting idolatry. How they could^ allowing them 
to be sincere — which of necessity we did — be so 
grossly imposed on^ we could not conceive. But 
here it was all revealed. This manifest idolatry 
was planted in infancy. It had grown with their 
grovvth, strengthened with their strength. It had 
been entwined with all the associations of their 
younger, brighter, and happier days. If error, 
which has no countenance in reason or revelation, 
by an early lodgment in the human breast, - be- 
comes so immovable, that even high attainments in 
science can not displace it, how industrious ought 
parents to be in fixing in the infant's mind the om- 
nipotent truths of the everlasting Gospel I These 



216 



THE CKOSS. 



juvenile exercises continued till after sunrise, when, 
I suppose, they melted away ^4ike the morning 
cloud;" for I found, about noon, that the manger of 
Bethlehem, with the ox and the ass, and all its in- 
mates and appurtenances, had fled, and made room 
for other idols and older worshipers. I retired to 
my lowly domicile, found the atmosphere more pure, 
the malign influence all gone, and spent there many 
an hour of piety and peace — ^ Sprayer being my 
chief business — all my pleasure praise." Some may 
smile at my sore wrestling with powers and princi- 
palities; but, hark ye, I do not say the devil was 
actually in my hermitage. I only state my feelings 
pending that sudden and inhuman transition from 
what I conceived to be the most sincere and heart- 
felt sorrow, to a revelry unparalleled, as I thought, 
in all the fiendish orgies on mercy's side of hell. 
Neither dare I deny that he ivas there. It might 
please a class; but what should I gain thereby? 
The boon which the dying fox would have inherited 
by the kind interference of his friends — a fresh 
swarm of bees and flies. There are still many, who, 
with the open Bible in their hands, would dispute 
with me the very personality of the devil. More- 
over, I like to anger infidelity by exercising every 
kind of credulity that can be possibly fastened on 
the Scriptures. 

As my place in the naval office made it necessary 
for me to sign the clearance of every vessel, the 
secretary of the Bible _ Society kept me supplied 



LIFE IN NEW ORLEANS. 



217 



with a large stock of Bibles^ in every modern lan- 
guage, for gratuitous distribution to such captains 
who Avere destitute. I enjoyed much in this work^ 
and also some persecution. One day I presented a 
copy to a lake captain. His face at once flushed 
up^ and he cursed heartily^ and said, 

^•If you would give me a volume of Shakspeare, 
or something of that kind, I would read it." 

I felt hurt, and I suppose he saw it. Before he 
reached the city again an awful storm of intense 
coldness swept the coast and lakes. Several of 
the lake craft went ashore, and some crews were 
found frozen to their posts. "When my thundering 
skipper came into the office again, after his papers 
were signed, he stood silent with his eyes fixed on 
my pile of Bibles. At last he said in a subdued tone, 

^'When I was here last, you kindly presented me 
a Bible, and I roughly and wickedly rejected it; 
but I have been brou2;ht to feel the need of such a 
book on board, and if you will be so kind as to 
make me the offer again, I would gladly accept it." 

But in most cases the Bible was gratefully re- 
ceived. A German captain, who commanded a large 
merchantman, came to clear one day. I held out to 
him a fine family Bible, in German, and asked him 
if he would accept of it. He understood English 
very imperfectly. ^^Why, that is the very thing I 
have lono; been wantino;." Seeino: that he misun- 
derstood me, and expected to pay, I told him we 
charged him nothing;. 

19 



218 



THE CROSS. 



He jumped back, and exclaimed, ^^0, no, you 
can not afford that." I explained to him that there 
was a large society that supplied us with them to 
give away. He pressed the book to him, and said, 

'^Is it possible that in a world like this, there can 
be found so many generous men — generous even to 
foreigners that they have never seen? Pray, sir, 
let me express my gratitude to you. I have two 
or three cases of my costly Holland gin on board, 
put up in highly-finished bottles. I will send a 
case down to your office." 

^^0, no, captain, I am only the distributer; they 
cost me nothing, and, besides, there are a great 
many men in this country who never drink spirit- 
uous liquor." 

At this he stretched his eyes still wider, exclaim- 
ing, ^^What a country!" 

It is a ma.tter of sincere regret that even in this 
enlightened age of Christianity, while the Gospel of 
Christ, the kingdom of the Babe of Bethlehem, is 
spreading its victorious march, and waving its 
blood-stained banner over almost every nation, there 
should be found men — professedly religious — who 
not only neglect the Sacred Volume themselves, but 
would prevent others from receiving its saving 
teachings. The Popes of Rome, in their imaginary 
holiness, have denounced the Bible Society as an 
enemy who is sowing tares among wheat. When we 
think of the awful consequences these unhappy m.en 
are drawing down upon their guilty heads, our 



LIFE IX NEW 0 E L E A N S . 



219 



souls tremble for those consequences; but when we 
reflect how fragile and nugatory are all their at- 
tempts to impede the progress of Divine truth, or 
to prevent the glory of the Gospel, we are led to 
lauo-h at all their fruitless efforts, Jehovah himself 
will hold such characters in derision, and if they 
repent not of their folly, he will laugh at their ca- 
lamity, and mock when their fear cometh. Blessed 
be God, the age of unsanctified profession has passed 
away. The kingdom of God is still advancing, 
lengthening its cord and strengthening its stake. 
The temple of the Lord Jesus is rising upon the 
ruins of demolished idolatry, and will rise till its 
holy steeple will pierce the heavens, and the topstone 
itself be brought forth with shouting, crying grace 
unto it ! 



220 



THE CEOSS. 



LEAVE NEW ORLEANS-SCHOOL-TEACH- 
ING-CAMP MEETING. 

As I was so favorably situated at New Orleans^ 
both as it regarded my spiritual and temporal in- 
terestS; it might be proper to say something about 
the circumstances that led to my removal. My 
oldest brother, the only one of us who was married, 
in returning from a visit to Virginia, brought a 
sister along with him as far as Lexington, in Ken- 
tucky, when finding the Ohio River so low that he 
was oblio;ed to take to a skiff, he left her there. 
When he got home, it was determined that I should 
go up for her, hoping that before my arrival the 
river would be up. The steamboat on which I em- 
barked could get no higher than the mouth of 
the Ohio, and I was under the necessity of walking 
up to Louisville, in order to take the stage for Lex- 
ington. 

It was a very singular Fall. The woods in Ken- 
tucky, Virginia, and as far as we could hear from, 
were all on fire. Although Indian Summer, the 
sun was not seen for several weeks. In traveling 
through the forests, we would often have fire on 
both sides of the road, and sometimes we had to 



LEAVE NEW ORLEANS. 



221 



wait till a tree^ nearly severed by fire^ had fallen. 
At other times^ after nice calculation^ we would 
venture to run past, just in time to hear the crash 
behind. Sometimes we would get out of the fiery, 
stifling region, but be waked up in the night by 
the cry of ^^Turn out to fight the fire!" And here 
it would be coming like a mighty army, crackling, 
roaring, and spitting, as it were, tongues of fire, 
far ahead. In some parts it enveloped fences, barns, 
stacks, and even dwelling-houses. It was a hard 
matter for several miles to get a drink of water. 
Some had to haul it eight miles. When I arrived 
at Louisville, the whole atmosphere was filled with 
smoke and dark ashes. I brought my sister from 
Lexington, to wait the rise of the river. As Ave 
came out of a Methodist prayer meeting in the 
evening, my sister said, 

'^Brother, the man who closed the meeting is a 
tailor." 

''How do you know he is a tailor, Angelina?" 

''Why, did you not hear him say, in giving out 
his appointments, ^ AVe must cut our pattern accord- 
ing to our cloth r " 

"V/ell," said I, '^whether he is a tailor or not, 
I '11 go and see him to-morrow, and see if he can 
board us, for the river may not rise this Winter, 
and I like his looks very much." 

We found out his name, and set out in the morn- 
ing to find his house. When we came to his door, 
and saw the style of the house, we at once despaired 



222 



THE CROSS. 



of getting board^ but thought he might recommend 
us to some pious family. We rang^ and brother 
Overstreet appeared. We made known to him our 
circumstances^ and he kindly smiled, and said, 

I have never taken boarders yet, but I think I 
will have to take you two." 

We found this family to be the kindest we ever 
found away from home. 

The river did not rise before Spring. Brother 
Overstreet was a man of great sociability, and 
would often invite young company to spend the 
evening with the strangers. One thing that struck 
me particularly was the size of the Kentucky girls. 
In one large room full there w^as not one but what 
was far above medium hight. They plagued my 
little sister a great deal, by saying that Virginia 
did not produce as large corn as Kentucky, and 
they reckoned the reason w^hy she did not come up 
to the mark was, she was raised on dodgers made 
out of nubbins. I preached but seldom here. The 
Church at that time was ranged into two parties. 
The females had separate prayer meetings; but 
they would attend both — the party out'' seated 
in the rear. When the party ^^m" would pray, 
^'0 Lord, we have sinned, and done evil in thy 
sight," there would be a response behind, with pro- 
voking emphasis, ''True e-nough^ Lord!" When 
the prayer was, ''Forgive us, 0 Lord, and enable 
us to live soberly, righteously, and truthfully," the 
response was, "Amen, and amm." And yet, to 



LEAVE NEW ORLEANS. 223 

take the parties separately, they were all as sweet 
as sugar. 

ToAvard the Spring of the year, as I was coming 
out of the meeting-house, brother Bascom took me 
aside, and asked me if I had left any brothers in 
New Orleans. 

'^Yes, three." 

'^Because," said he, ^^I saw, in a paper, to-day, 
that a gentleman of your name — I have forgotten 
his first name — fell lately in a duel." 

This went like a dagger to my heart. I requested 
him to get fuller information, and, hunting up my 
sister, we passed on rapidly to our home — for it 
seemed to me that I would drop before we could 
reach it. As soon as we entered the door, I in- 
formed my sister of the awful tidings, and Ave were 
plunged into grief inexpressible. The extreme an- 
guish that possessed us is, even in this day, a mys- 
tery to me. Brother Overstreet and his kind family 
bent over us with all the sympathy of close rela- 
tions. Brother Bascom took a fraternal interest in 
our sufferings. 

The tide of affliction was abundantly SAvelled bv 
hearing that my youngest brother, John, had fallen, 
and that my oldest brother died immediately after, 
Avith a natural disease. The practice of dueling 
had kept me uneasy all the time I AA'as in Xcaa^ 
Orleans. Public opinion there, in that day, AA'as 
such that no man, unless he AA'as a mem.ber of some 
Church; could refuse a challenge — or, if manifestly 



224 



THE CKOSS. 



insulted, omit to give one — without ruining all his 
temporal prospects. On this account I often con- 
versed with my brothers on this subject, and tried 
to inspire them with a proper abhorrence of the 
practice. But they contended that it was easy 
enough for me to talk, as every body knew my 
profession bound my hands. But hardly any official 
or political man there had escaped being called into 
the field. The case, as far as I could learn, was 
this: It was my oldest brother who first became 
involved in the aff'air. My youngest brother in- 
sisted on taking his place, as he had left his family 
in Virginia for a while; and he was, moreover, the 
principal stay of our widowed mother and her fam- 
ily. My oldest brother would not consent to this; 
but John so managed it as to get in between him 
and his antagonist, and fell. My brother Thomas 
was called out into the same field, at the same 
time, but the seconds brought about a reconcilia- 
tion. This brother I had saved from a duel before 
I left New Orleans. An officer of the army, up 
the river, called on him one day to give an account 
for some little observation that had appeared in the 
paper. He talked so insolently that my brother 
struck him; a scuffle ensued, and the hands in the 
office put him out. The next thing was a challenge. 
I asked my brother if he was going to accept it. 
He said, Certainly; he is an officer, and I must 
of necessity accept it right off, according to general 
opinion." I told him I only requested him to do 



LEAVE NEW 



ORLEANS. 



225 



one thing, as I knew he would fight, and that was, 
to return as an answer, that, as the gentleman was 
an entire stranger, he would hold the matter in con- 
sideration, in order to make some inquiry. It was 
hard work to get him to consent to this. But I 
urged that, although the youth was in military cos- 
tume, he might nevertheless be in disgrace. He 
took the course that was advised, and, before the 
time had expired, he found that the felloAv had 
been cashiered, and driven from the camp — so that 
he was pronounced by all the honor ables'' to be 
unworthy of his notice. 

Now our family in Orleans was broken up, and 
Avhen these sad tidings reached my mother, they 
almost killed her. We concluded to return to old 
Virginia in the first place; and we could only do 
so on horseback. As we were about to start, I 
was fearful my board would nearly strap me, as 
they say in these times; but when I asked brother 
Overstreet for the bill, he pleasantly answered^ 
^^Not a cent. I never intended to charge you from 
the beginning." And he pressed me to move my 
mother's family out. When we thought of the love 
and kindness of this family, we departed in tears. 
When we arrived home, I concluded that, after all 
that had passed, I never could reconcile it to my 
feelings to live again in Ncav Orleans. I sent my 
resignation to Washington, sold one of my horses, 
and departed on the other for the West, with an 
intention to seek a living in some place where I 



226 



THE CEOSS. 



might move my mother's family, and live at less 
expense. In all subsequent years occasional doubts 
would arise in my mind of having done the best, by 
yielding so far to my feelings, as to abandon that 
place — Orleans. My temporal prospects were very 
fair; fields of usefulness were opening before me. 
I preached, visited the hospitals, carrying them the 
Holy Bible, besides distributing it to all the ends 
of the earth, prayed with those who were dying 
with the yellow fever, and I enjoyed a Savior's love; 
but now I see the hand of Providence in giving me 
a timely removal from the great evil that was com- 
ing — before my hands were stained with the institu- 
tion, or my tongue steeped in rebellion toward Grod 
and man. Our white society there had increased to 
about thirty members, and our colored class to about 
forty. The Church there has extended greatly, and 
if the members possess the spirit that moved their 
predecessors, many of them are mourning over the 
desolation of the land. There is scarcely any part 
of our Church for which I have cherished a more 
lively interest than the society in New Orleans. 

^^"What crosses have we borne, what trials have 
we passed," since the Crescent City faded away in 
the dim distance! 

Traveling westward, with a half-formed intention 
of making for Louisville, I came to the pleasant- 
looking village of Wythe. Here I preached, and 
some of the citizens beset me to stop, a.nd open a 
school. They said they had not had a male school 



SCHOOL- TEACHING. 



227 



for some time^ and the last master Avould sometimes 
get drunk^ go to sleep on a bench, and the children 
would run rampant. I consented to stay for a while, 
and got such a crowded school that I thought it 
best to adopt, to some extent, the Lancasterian plan. 
We would commence in the mornino; bv hearino; the 
first class read; then, at the signal given, all the 
inferior classes would rise up, and the boys of the 
first would take their places as monitors. Standing 
in the midst of the whole, I acquired great adroit- 
ness in detectino; the smallest blunder. When this 
was over, the monitors would all take their seats at 
the writing-desk, where every thing was previously 
prepared. Then I would commence with the lov^er 
classes, and hear them all myself. By this time the 
writing would be finished, and the boys would have 
time to look over their grammars. Afiev the gram- 
mar exercises were over, at the sisfnal Q:iven, all the 

■ DO' 

classes would be heard by the monitors. In the 
afternoon, arithmetic would be attended to. In this 
way the classes of young scholars would have six 
lessons in the day, I^^o time, except play-time, was 
unoccupied. The school moved on like a factor}^ ; and 
the large scholars were highly elated by the idea of 
taking a game at teaching, and being themselves 
masters — some. In writing my history, my teaching 
enterprise must not be slighted — so bear with me. 
One little girl, the daughter of a notorious infidel, 
had been almost frightened out of all growth by the 
despotism of the school-discipline of that day. She 



228 



THE CROSS. 



could hardly spell in one syllable; and when she 
would make a mistake she would tremble like a 
criminal. I saw she had something to learn before 
she could learn to read. I sat down by her and 
talked kindly^ told her she should be my girl, and 
that I would never whip her; then took her on my 
knee, whenever she said her lesson. At last she had 
all confidence in me, discarded her fears, and pro- 
gressed astonishingly. She soon could read well. 

Her father heard that my school was opened 
every day with prayer, and he became exceedingly 
angry. He came down one evening to vent his 
wrath — indeed to whip me. I was boarding at the 
house of one of the merchants, an Irish gentleman. 
He came into the dwelling-house, swearing that if 
I did not quit this whining and praying in school 
that he would thrash me and break up m^y estab- 
lishment. I talked calmly with him; told him 
it was one of the rules of my school. The par- 
ents generally had no objection, and the children 
now looked for it; and if the President sent his 
child to my school I would not alter the rule to 
please him; but if it was so disagreeable to him 
he could withdraw his child, and he would be 
charged nothing. Here he broke out afresh with 
his curses, and swore he would not take her 
away, for she had learned more in one quarter 
than she had learned in other schools in twelve 
months. I suggested that, perhaps, the reason was 
God had helped me because I called daily on him 



SCHOOL-TEACHING. 



229 



for help. This made him furious. He would not 
take her away, but he would come to the court- 
house on Sabbath, drag me out of the stand, and 
do my business for me. 

By this time my Irish landlady got her nap up, 
and, rising majestically from her seat, said, 

'^Mister , if you have no other business here 

but to abuse the master, I will advertise you that 
when the carpenter built this house, he left a hole 
in it; and you may take that advantage, and Avalk 
out.'' 

On this he cursed at her, and reminded her that 
they had bought the house from him. 

'^Yes, but w^e bought it with that hole in it, and 
I tell you to walk out." 

On this he looked sneeringly at her, and said, 

'^Yes, you are at their gatherings, too, and I ex- 
pect it will not be long before you will be talking 
about beino; ^born api-ain.' " 

She bridled herself up, and said, 

''I thank you, sir, I have not put off this im- 
portant business to this late day. I was baptized 
into Christ when I was a baby in my miother s 
arms, and was confirmed long before I saw the likes 
of you.'' 

And she put at him in good earnest, and cleared 
her castle. It is singular that he never interrupted 
me again, but still continued to send his daughter 
to school; and when I wound up my business, I 
concluded not to send my bill, because I hated strife 



230 



THE CEOSS. 



and debate. But some who knew him best, said 
that would make him desperately mad; so I called 
on him. He politely invited me in, and said, 

^^Mr. L., I am sorry to hear that you are going 
to leave us. My child has improved amazingly 
under you. And I am sorry also that I gave you 
that rough talk; but your religion recommends for- 
giveness, and I hope you will extend it to me. I 
assure you I never paid a debt more cheerfully." 

While teaching here, the circuit preachers invited 
me to come out and help them hold a two days' 
meeting. We preached all Saturday and Sunday. 
A Presbyterian tavern-keeper invited the preachers 
to close the meeting at night in his tavern. They 
concluded, if I would exhort, they would close it 
with a prayer meeting. While exhorting, the power 
of the Lord seemed to come down; some shouted, 
some cried for mercy, and a revival commenced and 
ran through the neighborhood, especially among the 
Presbyterian children. The tavern-keeper walked 
about the house clapping his hands and praising 
God, because he had condescended to bless his tav- 
ern with the shout of heaven-born souls. But his 
daughter, who had been a vain, fashionable girl, 
was converted, and she threw off all her jewels and 
finery. This so exasperated the old man that he 
declared no Methodist preacher should ever enter 
his house again, with the exception of the young' 
man from Wythe — he was a gentleman. 

The Presbyterians generally forbid their children 



SCHOOL-TEA C HI IS^G. 231 

to unite v/itli our Church, and were very anxious 
to receive them into their own; but the young 
people said they would join no Church but the 
Methodist, and this thej'- would do as soon as they 
were of age. I have understood since that some of 
them did so, and others backslid, as might be ex- 
pected. A young man professed to get religion 
there, who claimed me as his spiritual father. He 
was very zealous, and could pray well from the 
onset. In after years he became a popular minister 
in the South, Find filled some important stations. 
A few years more, we heard he had removed to the 
extreme South, and had backslidden and become a 
gambler. A few years more, and he turned up in 
Congress — still an orator. One of his opponents in 
debate threw in his face that he had been a Meth- 
odist preacher. He replied that in the days of his 
youth and indiscretion he had taken that chute, 
but it was irrelevant to throw it up now. When I 
heard this I trembled. But on a subsequent occa- 
sion, when an infidel member of Congress was de- 
claiming against chaplains and Christianity, he 
stood up in his place — as if the latent embers of 
grace w^ere stirred within — and gave him a scorch- 
ing rebuke, and made a masterly defense of Chris- 
tianity. Then I hoped. But wdiere he is now, 
whether in time or eternity, we know not. If in 
time, may he be reclaimed from his wanderings, 
and find mercy at the hand of the Lord! Some of 
our old members did not believe in him at the 



232 



THE CKOSS. 



start, because he prayed with his eyes open; but I 
told them not to stumble at this, as it was our duty 
both to watch and pray. 

We had a camp meeting soon after this — a very 
singular one. As I was riding to it, a gentleman 
overtook me, and asked where I was from. 

Wythe." He said they had heard strange news 
from Wythe, that the folks had permitted a Meth- 
odist preacher to live among them. He then Avent 
on to recount some of their wicked doings in former 
years, and how a gang of them followed a Method- 
ist preacher who came through the place, and forced 
him to dance to the sound of a fiddle. On subse- 
quent inquiry this was found to be true, and my 
old infidel friend was at the head of the gang. 

We had only two or three sermons on the camp- 
ground, when there came on a rain w^hich precluded 
all public exercises to the close of the meeting. 
There were only eight or nine tents. Happily, 
some of them were very large — and we betook our- 
selves to singing and praying. The fashionable 
people, who came out on Saturday, crowded into 
the tents to save their finery, and a wonderful time 
followed. While the exercises were going on, they 
would drop like shot blackbirds, tear off their ruf- 
fles and ornaments, and cry for mercy. I would 
look on, and ask myself who told them to do this. 
Nothing had been said about dress; and some of 
them had never heard the Methodist preachers be- 
fore. It was the Spirit of God writing on their 



CAMP E E T I X G . 



233 



truly-awakened hearts. It was a singular scene to 
see converted young men standing up, their wet, 
torn ruffles flapping in the Avind, while with all 
their power they exhorted their companions to flee 
from the wrath to come. On Monday morning the 
w^hite members were completely exhausted. The 
little colored camp was marched up. They rushed 
into the battle like a reserved corps, and the very 
heavens resounded with prayer, praise, and the 
shouts of regenerated men and women. The gentle- 
man who had just been elected as their representa- 
tive was converted. A family was justified, all but 
one son. He was roused up from the mourners' 
bench to go home and bring the horses. He did 
so — harnessed them up; and, returning to the tent, 
flung himself on his knees, and never rose till he 
stood up to praise God for his redeeming grace. It 
was said that more than one hundred were con- 
verted on the ground. And how many more after, 
who can tell? As we rode home, shouting, prayer, 
and praise seemed to ascend from almost every 
farm-house on both sides of the road. Takino: into 
consideration the number of people assembled, the 
paucity of the means, the apparently-unfavorable 
weather, and other circumstances, I hold it to be 
the greatest camp meeting I ever attended — and I 
have been at many truly great. 

20 



234 



THE CBOSS. 



XVIII. 

SETTLE IX XENIA-THE MINISTRY. 

I NOW concluded to move farther west, having 
Kentucky principally in view. I procured a small 
wagon and two horses, and, Avith my mother and 
three single sisters, took up my pilgrimage. For 
lack of experience, we were nearly a m^onth in 
traveling a distance we ought to have made in two 
weeks. iVfter we had entered Kentucky we came 
to a fork in the road, where we stopped and held a 
council. I told them mv feelinQ;s were all for Ken- 
tucky; but it was a slave State, and, as we would 
have to depend on our own resources, we might be 
subject to occasional mortifications; whereas Ohio 
was a free State, and although it might have some 
disadvantages, yet I believed that, in the long run, 
it would be more suitable to us. After considerable 
deliberation, we took the direct road to Cincinnati. 
- Although this at the outset had not been contem- 
plated, yet it was certainly the better course. We 
finally settled in Xenia, and found there and in its 
vicinity many old Virginians, and a few acquaint- 
ances. Here I opened a school, and when it in- 
creased considerably my mother took charge of the 



SETTLE IX XE^'IA. 



235 



female department. She was well qualified to 
tecicli, especially in arithmetic. 

AVhile in Louisiana I trembled at the intelligence 
of the people^ and longed for '^a lodge in some vast 
wilderness," where my talents, slim as they were, 
might be more needed; and especially where I 
might not be buried by superior ministerial lights. 
Vain hope ! About the first man I heard preach 
was Dr. Taylor, who was an extra minister. He 
was profoundly doctrinal and argumentative. He 
had, however, a considerable drawback. He ha.d 
an incurable devotion to all the obsolete words of 
our dictionarv, and Avas inclined to verbosity. On 
one occasion he changed appointments with a preacher 
in an obscure region. AVhen the regular preacher 
came back, the people told him that they hoped 
when he sent another man in his place, he would 
send one who could preach English^ not Latin. 
After I had entered the traveling connection, I 
came on a bitter cold dav to a laro:e meetino;-house. 
As the door opened, a blast struck me Avhich almost 
capsized me. Leaving the door open, and advanc- 
ing, I saw a large brick platform, and on it a glow- 
ing charcoal fire, surrounded by a large congrega- 
tion. I stopped short, and as the people had never 
seen me before, every eye was fixed upon me. 
Stretching forth my hand toward the glowing pile, 
'^Brethren, that is precisely the way we used to 
kill rats on board our ship. When we had got into 
port and discharged our cargo, we filled an old pot 



236 



THE CROSS. 



with a charcoal fire^ placed it on the keelson, bat- 
tened down all the hatches for twenty-four hours, 
and when we would open them, every rat in the 
ship would be lying dead about the pot. Is it 
possible that no preacher has ever told you of the 
danger of sitting over such a fire?" 

One brother said, ^^No preacher ever said ~ any 
thing about our fire excepting Dr. Taylor. He 
stood over it once, and made a speech, but none of 
us could understand it. I only remember two 
words of it which he often repeated, ^hydrogen and 
nitrogen;' but you speak plain, and say it will kill 
rats J and we '11 put it aAvay. Our women have 
often fainted when we had large congregations, but 
we never blamed the fire." 

Nevertheless, Dr. Taylor was an instructive 
preacher. The next I heard was John Strange, his 
colleague. He Avas universally popular, even at 
that time. When the quarterly meeting came on, 
the elder, James B. Finley, preached in his most suc- 
cessful style. I had to acknowledge that the whole 
Virginia Conference at that time had no three men 
that could match them. 

Brother Sale lived in the neighborhood. A more 
pleasant and upright man I never knew. He was 
my fast friend, and I enjoyed his counsel and ex- 
ample for many years. He was remarkably con- 
scientious. On one occasion, he related that before 
he embraced religion he was in company with two 
or three wild young men, who concluded to lash 



vSETTLE IN XENIA. 



237 



something to tlie tail of an old liorse^ belonging to 
a neighbor, to stir up a little fun. He did not ap- 
prove of the sporty and tried to prevent it. The 
horse ran off in a terrible fri2:ht, and was killed. 
Although he had no hand in thus depriving a poor 
man of his horse, yet he felt somewhat guilty in 
keeping the secret. But after he obtained mercy 
of the Lord, in the forgiveness of his sins, he re- 
turned to the place, and having understood of the 
owner the full value of his horse, acknowledged the 
part he had in the transaction, and paid his full 
share of the assessment. AVhen he was traveling; 
out westward as a young preacher, he was under 
the necessity of putting up at a tavern. Every 
thing around him appeared so irreligious, that he 
had no encouragement to speak of prayer — it vras 
only a tavern. When the landlord lighted him to 
bed, he asked him what was the object of his jour- 
ney. He said in a tremulous voice, ^^I am going 
out to preach the Gospel." The tavern-keeper fast- 
ened his piercing eyes upon him, and said, Young 
man, vou will not be of much force. The Dreach- 
ers out here will hold family prayer if they are in 
the very gates of hell." He said he never neg- 
lected it again. There wajs considerable controversy 
abroad when we moved to Ohio. Some of the 
young preachers were riding along the road and 
telling some of the smart and pungent turns they 
had taken in this line; brother Sale turned in his 
saddle and said, ^^Boys, I want you to take one 



238 



THE CROSS. 



idea along with you — you can catcli more bees with 
honey than you can with vinegar." This word 
spoken in season was of immense importance to 
myself. 

Dr. Joshua Martin, of Xenia, proposed to me to 
study medicine; at the same time offering me his 
office^ books, and instructions gratuitously. This 
offer I embraced, and spent all my leisure time in 
reading medical works, according to his arrange- 
ment. After I was employed to teach a Methodist 
school in Lebanon, he still supplied me with books 
and periodical instruction. While residing in Xenia, 
Bishop M'Kendree came along and insisted on start- 
ing a Sabbath school there. At that time there 
had been no Sunday school, that I knew of, in 
Southern Ohio, outside of Cincinnati. He selected 
me for the superintendent. I objected on the score 
of my preaching almost every Sabbath. He said 
this could be done in the afternoon; and even if I 
did not preach so often, I might, in the long run, 
do more good with the school. We started the 
school; and a first-rate school it was. We ha-d 
about one hundred and eighty scholars; many of 
the children coming from one to three miles around. 
Out of that original school came five or six traveling 
ministers, several local ministers ajid ofiicials; and, 
indeed, there were very few of those scholars that 
did not become acceptable members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Now, I do not, reader, monopo- 
lize the praise of this work; for we had pious and 



SETTLE IN X E X I A . 



239 



efficient teachers; but it is meet to show that, in 
entering on the great work, I did ^'in the morning 
sow my seed,'"' and ^'my labor is with my God/' 
and if he approved it, the record is on high." 

^"hen I had advanced considerably in the study 
of medicine, I became uneasy about what would be 
my best course. The first inquiry was, can a man 
be an efficient preacher, and at the same time attend 
to the duties of a physician, allowing that he has 
only a tolerable- practice? The answer was, no. 
Can he be a useful doctor, a.nd attend to the whole 
duty of a minister"? Xo more than a man can 
serve two masters. And the decision was that I 
should prefer the most important call. Another 
thing that lay heavy on my mind was this : in re- 
moving from Xew Orleans I had, of necessity, to 
forego many special privileges — regular and stated 
periods of devotion, reading, and meditation; this, 
with continual movino:, and mixino^ with vouno; 
company, considerably impaired my enjoyments in 
religion. Indeed, although I have not set out, after 
the example of Eousseau, to write my confessions, 
which would benefit no one, yet I can not, on the 
other hand, like a simple biographer, pass by my 
sins altoQ:ether. I felt that I was croins: back con- 
siderably. Sometimes I thought it was wrong for 
me to profess to be a Christian at all ; then I would 
be filled with bitter contrition ; then peace and com- 
fort would return, and I would feel the Lord had 
not cast me oS. I felt that I dare not give up any 



240 



THE CBOSS. 



of my duties — praying, preaching, and meditating. 
It seemed to me tliat my own safety would be in 
letting go the world altogether, and giving myself 
entirely up to the work of the m^inistry. I was 
recommended to the Conference and received. As 
far as the itinerancy is concerned, it has been with 
me a standing cross for nearly forty years. It was 
with great trepidation that I first mounted into the 
saddle to take a circuit. I went to sea before I had 
learned to ride. I took for my motto, 

"Some trust in chariots made for war, 
And some of horses make their boast; 
My surest expectations are 

In Thee, the Lord, the God of hosts!" 

Time would fail me to tell of the many dangers 
and frightful hair-breadth escapes through which I 
passed — the ground and lofty tumblings that befell 
me. But the Lord was very gracious to me; for as 
often as my honor was laid low in the dust or mud, 
horse and all, I always rolled right side up!' 
Again, my leaning was for a settled ministry. My 
experience has taught me that the longer I preach 
to a congregation the better I know how to serve 
them. And I never enjoy myself better than when 
I preach two new sermons every Sabbath. It may 
be asked, then, why I did not join some religious 
connection where a settled ministry was the order. 
Such a proposal was made to me, in the morning of 
my ministry, by an authorized agent. But, 

First. I sa.w no Church that I considered so 



THE MINISTEY, 



241 



ortliodox, in doctrine and practice^ as the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

Secondly. I believe that the itinerancy — whether 
it suited me best or not — was, as a general thing, 
the best plan for the Scilvation of souls. 

Thirdly. And all-sufficient; it was the plan laid 
down by our Savior. He sent them forth, two by 
two, into all the world. 

When we speak of the itinerancy, of course we 
mean as it is laid in the Discipline, without guile 
and without partiality. As it regards any devi- 
ation it rests on broader shoulders. 

I went forth believing I was called to the work. 
As the call to the ministry is regarded by some as 
somewhat mythical, I will express my views in re- 
gard to this matter. 

We believe that the man who is called of God to 

preach his Word, has a deep, solemn, and abiding 

impression resting on his soul, that it is his duty to 

hold forth the Word of life to his fallen race — that 

it is an all-absorbing impression, strongly checking 

all his natural aspirations after wealth, honor, 

worldly settlement, as though he were by no means 

his own, but constantly awaiting the disposition of 

Almighty God. It may be asked here if a man 

may not be deceived at this very point — taking the 

fervid workings of his own fancy for a Divine call. 

Certainly men may be deceived. We have seen 

some who, in our opinion, were deceived in regard 

to their having religion. But this impression is 

21 



242 



THE CROSS. 



not the whole call. There is in connection a provi- 
dential call. The God of grace is the God of provi- 
dence. It would be unreasonable to suppose the 
Lord would call a man by his grace, and forbid 
him by his providence. If he has called him by his 
Spirit, he will assuredly open his way. Some have 
insisted they are divinely called, but when the 
matter is investigated by a godly Church, that 
Church kindly, but firmly, dissents. A pious 
Church is a good judge. The ox knoweth his 
owner, and the ass his master's crib, and true 
Christians know who is instrumental in feeding 
them with the bread of life, and building them up. 
It is seldom that the Church is mistaken. They 
might be for a season, but if the individual exer- 
cises Christian charity and patience the Lord will 
open his way, if he is called; but in too many 
cases they fly off, and show by their subsequent 
conduct that their cases are doubtful. Again, one 
who believes he is called should examine closely his 
motives. Particularly should he search his own 
heart in regard to being moved by pecuniary con- 
siderations. This inquest w^ith some is not elabo- 
rate, for in many cases it will be found that, as far 
as money is concerned, the step will be a sacrifice. 
But he should inquire whether he is moved by a 
love of fame, also; for this would be as sinful a 
motive as filthy lucre. And when he feels that he 
is clear in all these things, and the ruling impres- 
sion of his mind is, ^^For Zions sake I will not rest, 



THE M I N I S T E Y. 



243 



for Jerusalem's sake I will not hold my peace, till 
her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her 
salvation as a lamp that burneth;" then, we think, 
he has a comfortable evidence that he is called to 
the work. It was by these rules that I judged my 
own case. I had an abiding impression that it was 
my duty to preach. 



244 



THE CEOSS. 



XIX. 

ITINERANT LIFE-COLUMBUS CIROUIT. 

1824. In entering on thiS; my first circuit, I 
had two especial crosses to face : 

1. My colleague — Charles Waddle— was, without 
exception, the most popular preacher in the Confer- 
ence. I felt no envy, and never had any, in regard 
to any colleague; but I was afraid that the congre- 
gations were so accustomed to such extra preaching, 
that my efforts might not be as serviceable as they 
might be under other circumstances. I was soon 
relieved of this fear by the urbanity and fraternal 
attentions of the whole Church. I suppose there 
never was a society of Methodists, in Ohio, more 
experienced, more pious, more forbearing than the 
Church of Columbus in that day. 

2. The Legislature was much in my way. It was 
indeed a venerable body, and would compare favor- 
ably with any Ijiat has occupied the State-House 
since. I regarded them at first as the collected 
wisdom of the State. 

But I soon learned that they were mostly men 
of circumstances — that intellectual worth was sel- 
dom the qualification of popularity. Indeed, that 



ITINERANT LIFE. 



245 



year one of our counties had sent an idiot, by way 
of sport, to represent tliem. At first I preached to 
them, with fear and trembling; but before I was 
done I preached at them, with much assurance. I 
was very awkward in my circuit duties, of which I 
might give one instance : After preaching at Colum- 
bus, I asked some member if he could tell me where 
my next appointment was, as I had no plan. He 
said the Monday appointment was at Dublin; that 
I must cross over to Franklinton, and any one 
w^ould put me in the road. ^^AU right," I thought, 
as I mounted my horse — ^^a chief city in Ireland!' 
As soon as I crossed the river, I asked a man if he 
could tell me the way to Belfast 

^'Belfast? No, sir. I know of no such tovm in 
these regions.'' 

'^Why, it is not more than seven or eight miles 
from this place." 

''Then it must be some new town." 

Then I inquired of amother, and another, and so 
on. Some said it was not in that county; some 
said they did not believe there was such a place in 
all the country. Then I took what seemed to be 
the most probable road, thinking that the nearer I 
approached the place the better ihe people would 
know it. Having proceeded about eight miles, I 
again inquired. One put me on one road, and one 
on another; but nobody knew exactly where Belfast 
was. It was all surmise. Thus I rode all day, 
and got into a forest, where I expected night would 



246 



THE CEOSS. 



overtake me. But about dusk I came to a cabin, 
and I asked if I could stay all niglit. 

*'^You have come to preach to us to-morrow." 

^^Is my appointment here^ to-morrow?" 
\t is, I suppose." 

''Well; do tell me where Belfast is. Is it the 
appointment for to-day?" 

''No. If they have not altered the plan, you 
should have preached at Dublin to-day." 

"0 yes, Dublin! Dublin! that's it!" 

I did not hear the last of this for twelve months. 
I was now like a young bear — my troubles just 
beginning. I was weighed at the penitentiary, and 
found that in two rounds I had gained thirteen 
pounds. My mare also took advantage of the 
change, and began to cover her bones, and to lay 
aside her meekness, and sometimes get into awful 
frights. We hardly know whether it would be 
more proper to say we rode, or walked, our first 
circuit. When she would commence a great fright, 
in the self-same moment I would step on the 
ground — for I yet retained my sailor agility- — and 
then it w^ould take all my strength to hold her. I 
would then take her by the bit, and walk a mile or 
two, till she got calm. The brute got so used to 
this that, when she intended to take a fright, she 
would cock one ear and look back to see if I was 
getting down. Sometimes I would not, but would 
pat her and talk to her, and persuade her not to 
scare just then. This was a source of much morti- 



ITINEKANT LIFE, 247 

fication to me, for all the awkwardness that was 
ever recorded in horse-jockey lore was fastened on 
me; and I had sometimes to hear grave ministers 
recounting awful mishaps in my traveling that I 
had never heard of before. For this reason I w^ould 
run great risks in the saddle when in company. 
When about to start, one day, from town, in the 
presence of several who, I knew, were watching me, 
I thought I would cut something extra, so as to 
reduce my slanderers, and I undertook to spring 
from the ground into my saddle. That I might not 
come short, I gathered up all the force necessary — 
yea, rather more — for I landed on the other side of 
my nag, to the great amusement of my brethren. 
For about forty years I have been seeking for a 
perfect horse, but have never found him. In that 
time I have owned thirty-two — all of them possess- 
ing some good qualities and many bad ones. If one 
did not scare, he would stumble, and occasionally 
fall, at most inauspicious times and in most incon- 
venient places; some would scare and fall, too, 
simultaneously. As it regarded jny support, I had 
little or no forethought about it. This was not my 
object. The school which I taught afforded me 
almost four hundred dollars annually. My quarter- 
age, the first year, was from eighty to ninety; but 
it was the most bea^utiful money I had ever 
received; it looked pure and holy — the wages of 
the Lord. 

But although quarterage — if the term is not 



248 



THE CROSS. 



obsolete — never troubled me much on my own ac- 
count, yet it troubled me greatly in connection 
with others. I found scores of Methodists who 
bore without murmuring the whole pecuniary 
weight of their circuits, paying regularly the fare 
of hundreds toward Mount Zion. I say toward. 
Men who would indignantly forbid their neighbors 
to pay their fare to Cincinnati, would quietly sub- 
mit to their paying their expenses all the way to 
heaven. Now, the difficulty with me was to have 
any confidence in their profession. ^^But could you 
not quietly pass them by?" No, I had to meet 
them in the classes, and to listen to their thunder 
in rooms they had not warmed any farther than 
the animal heat of their own bodies extended, and 
by lamps that they had never oiled, and to exhort 
them with words which were without money and 
without price — they had a religion which cost them 
nothing, and, as Dr. Clarke says, was good for 
nothing. These observations do not apply particu- 
larly to my first circuit. I only throw them in as 
preliminary to the long conflict. The Columbians 
did well in that generation. On the circuit my 
saddle-bags were stufi'ed with socks, gloves, and 
other necessaries, and all these were pure demon- 
strations of friendship, inasmuch as I w^as pretty 
well rigged from the beginning. 

In that day we had no protracted meetings. The 
term was not then coined even among the Presby- 
terians, where it originated. We made, however, a 



ITINERANT LIFE. 



249 



steady draw on sinners through the year — Winter 
and Summer. Faith came by hearing, and hearing 
by the preaching of the Word. Persons would get 
impressed under our ministry, and having to preach 
again in the afternoon or next day, we would leave; 
but the local preachers and leaders would get up 
neighborhood meetings, and the convicted would 
find relief in the ordinary means of grace. When 
the preacher would come round, he would take in 
two or three, sometimes as many as five or ten at 
the different appointments. These coming in grad- 
ually and understandingly, and being consigned to 
large classes, Avere cared for, and they generally 
persevered. 

Having now retired from charge, I feel it to be a 
duty, which I can not neglect, to protest solemnly 
against the practice into which we have fallen in 
this day. Our people, generally, do not look to the 
ordinary means which God has established in his 
Word. It would be wonderful now for a soul to be 
converted in a prayer meeting. Our faith and hope 
stretch forward to the protracted meeting. The 
people and sometimes the minister pray mightily 
for God to meet them at the approaching big meet- 
ing. Speak to sinners about seeking religion, and 
they will say, ^^We have been thinking about it, 
and we have concluded to try when that big meet- 
ing comes off." Some will say, ^'But we take in 
large numbers on such occasions." True, and aside 
from the great drought and apathy which intervenes 



260 



THE CROSS. 



through the whole year, it might seem as well to 
take them in at one sweep as to be receiving them 
the whole year. But what becomes of them? In 
most cases the majority of them are laid aside in 
twelve months. Some have been converted by the 
Gospel, but many have been pressed into the Church 
by exciting circumstances, youthful sympathies, and 
novel measures unknown in apostolic times. They 
have not embraced the truth in the love of it. The 
meeting is run to such an extreme, that when the 
members fall back on their ordinary services, they 
are cold, spiritless, and surfeited; and the young 
members begin to feel the reaction too strong for 
them. So the neighborhood is filled with people 
who have once been in the Church, but not long 
enough to form an attachment to it, and it is 
doubly difficult to catch them again. 

This is not all. It is destroying our ministers. 
This extraordinary strain, long continued, on young 
preachers produces bronchitis and diseases in their 
vocal organs, so that we can find very few, even 
among those on probation, who are not as shattered 
trumpets. In a modern protracted meeting they 
preach and exhort day and night, and in some 
places they have to pray, sing, and shout, and do 
all, till the members begin to think that the meet- 
ing has been protracted to that point that it is 
proper for them to dash in; custom has fixed that 
point on the third or fourth week. The reader 
must not think that we are croaking merely against 



ITINERANT LIFE. 



251 



others. We old men have followed suit simply be- 
cause we know that unless we get members accord- 
ing to this programme, we can not get them at 
all- — and it must be done in the Winter, too. The 
old preachers have this advantage — and we call on 
the whole Church to remark it by audible attention 
to the few who are still among us — they have in 
their youth, by constant preaching, acquired a vol- 
ume of voice, enlarging with their growth, that can 
ring, distinct and loud, through all the phases of 
the most protracted meeting, as far as the natural 
infirmities of age may allow. They are generally 
sound in their throats. 

On my first circuit, in addition to those we might 
receive on our regular rounds, we received a con- 
siderable number at two-days' meetings. Sometimes 
we would continue these meetings at the expense 
of our rest days, or by procuring ministerial help. 
These w^e regarded as special revivals. We had 
two such on Columbus circuit; one on the Scioto. 
Here the New Lights had borne sway for some 
time; and it did seem, then, as if they would take 
the whole community into the river. My colleague 
preached much against their errors; and I always 
felt I was doing the Lord's own service when 
preaching against Arianism. Here we had a great 
work, and we had to make two societies alons: the 
banks of the Scioto. The New Light preacher's 
daughter came to our meetings, and joined the 
Church. One of his people went to his house to 



252 



THE CKOSS. 



bear the intelligence to him. He bowed his head 
awhile, and lifted it up, and raised his eyes to 
heaven, and said, ^^Thy will be doneT 

We had another extraordinary meeting in a vil- 
lage at one extremity of the circuit, where there 
w^as a small Baptist Church. Seeing that the grace 
of God was with us, they requested to unite with 
us in the work. To this we cordially assented, and 
we had a powerful revival. As the Sabbath drew 
nigh we proposed a love-feast; and, as the Baptists 
knew nothing about that means of grace, we invited 
them all to come. When we opened the meeting 
we explained its character — how that the eating of 
bread and drinking the water was only an outward 
expression of our Christian friendship; but the ex- 
change of our experience and Christian communion 
was the spiritual banquet to which we were looking. 
We then told the Baptists to do as they would see 
us do, one not waiting for another. As soon as the 
Methodists had started the speaking exercises, the 
Baptist minister arose, and gave a clear and feeling 
account of his experience — his convictions, his con- 
flict, his bright conversion, the time when and place 
where he received the remission of sins. The power 
of God seemed to fall upon the assembly like a sweep- 
ing shower. Now a Methodist would rise — now a 
Baptist; and a stranger, coming in, could not have 
known who was a Methodist or who was a Baptist, 
for we all felt that there was one Lord, one faith, 
one baptism — the baptism of the Holy Ghost and 



ITINEEANT LIFE. 



253 



of fire. When the meeting was about to close, we 
hardly knew how to house our sheaves, for my col - 
league was away at General Conference, and a local 
preacher and myself had conducted the meeting. 
However, with the consent of the Baptist minister, 
we stated that it was always our custom, when we 
closed a large meeting, to open the door of our 
Church to see who were candidates for memibership; 
but, as we had worked together, there might be 
some who might wish to join us, and there might 
be some whose leanings and associations might be 
for the Baptist Church. We only wanted those — 
if any — who thought they could serve God best in 
the Methodist Church. If there were any who 
thought they could get more good and do more 
good in the Baptist Church, we hoped they would 
not, through the impulse of the moment, join us — 
because they would afterward be dissatisfied. When 
we opened the door, nearly the whole school rushed 
into our net. The Churches then fell back to their 
own Avork — the Baptists crying out, Water! 
water!" and the Methodists, ^'Fire! fire!" and all 
the young converts, Glory! glory!" We had, 
also, a very good work in Columbus; and it was a 
reviving year to the membership. 
■ There was a blacksmith in the city who was 
much given to intoxication. His story was: While 
sitting in his shop, about twilight, his attention 
was roused by an extraordinary light springing up 
suddenly in his shop. He raised his eyes, and saw 



254 



THE CROSS. 



a brilliant personage standing before him, with a 
look of anger, mingled with compassion. He up- 
braided him with his past misconduct, but concluded 
by telling him there was room in heaven for him if 
he would reform. He was found stretched on the 
floor. He w^as dreadfully alarmed, and for some 
time was afraid to be alone. He went further, and 
quit using spirits for a while; he went further, and 
came once to our church — but hid behind the door. 
We did not believe that this man had any super- 
natural visitant; but all the people in the place 
could not persuade him otherwise — and, as it 
regarded him, it was the same as if it had been 
real. We only refer to it as a remarkable illustra- 
tion of Abraham^'s doctrine, Neither would they 
be persuaded if one should arise from the dead." 
The same blacksmith had a very amiable daughter, 
who attended our revival, and in hearing Moses 
and the prophets, and the holy evangelists, was 
persuaded,'' and powerfully converted. She re- 
turned home, threw her arms around her father's 
neck, and told him what great things the Lord had 
done for her. He wept, and commended her step, 
and said he hoped she would be faithful, for there 
was no character so hateful as a backslider. He 
went out, resumed his dissipated habits, and pressed 
on with renewed thirst the downward way to ruin. 

The close of the Conference year, and departure 
of the minister to a new field of labor, presses hard 
upon the feelings of the preacher. Nearly forty 



ITINEEANT LIFE. 



255 



years of travel and wandering has not blunted my 
sensibility of the parting pang. It is made endur- 
able only by the solemn promise which God has 
given, that we shall be gathered together again. 
We have sometimes almost envied those who have 
administered for a long lifetime to the same con- 
gregation and its succession, and when they die 
leave behind a Church that has been baptized in 
infancy by their own hand; but when we remember 
how many Churches we have been allied to, and 
look forward to the day when they shall be flying 
home from the north and from the south, from the 
east and from the west, to take their places in the 
kingdom of God, and while we cherish the hope that 
the acquaintances we have made on earth shall be 
perpetuated through a blissful immortality, we say, 
it is enough. The children of God, in this world, 
are necessarily a scattered people in many re- 
spects. 

1. They are scattered by the distance of time. 
Abel, that eminent servant of God, stands at a 
great distance, in point of time, from the saints of 
this generation. Still there is a gracious alliance 
of fellowship binding him to the Church now mili- 
tant. We realize how much we love him, when we 
regard him in comparison with that wicked one 
who slew him. 

When we come down to the history of the apos- 
tles, the distance diminishes, and we feel a more in- 
timate union. Again, when we descend to those 



256 THE CROSS. 

Christians who have just preceded us, the tide of 
Christian sympathy swells delightfully, and we run 
after them to the very banks of the river, and 
stretch out our hands to catch their falling mantles, 
while we exclaim, ^'The chariots of Israel, and the 
horsemen thereof!" 

" So seemed the prophet, when to mount on high, 
His master took the chariot of the sky; 
The fiery pomp, ascending, left his view, 
The prophet gazed, and wished to follow too." 

But we are separated. We must abide the times. 

2. The saints of God are separated or scattered 
by geographical lines. Even those who are cotempo- 
rary with us, are not all present. We hear of 
them, we read of them, and of their trials, their 
labors, their success, and sometimes we may corre- 
spond with them; and, 0, how we long, in the bow- 
els of Christian communion, to embrace them, to 
converse with them, to weep v/ith them, if need be ! 
0, 3^e ministers and children of our God! may we 
not flow, together, and break bread, and drink wine 
in our common Father's house? Hush, 0, my soul, 
and be quiet! Not now. Alas, how seldom do the 
children of God, in any one family, gather together ! 
I look back to the days of childhood, and see 
myself as a little white-headed boy — a smiling item 
in a wide and joyful household. I comprehended 
that Death would come, sometimes, like a sparrow 
lioi:htino; on an ant-hill; but I thouerht his visits 
might be far between, and that the survivors would 



ITINERANT LIFE. 



257 



close up the chasms from time to time, and that 
even when the last fell, one social graveyard would 
hold the band. But, years gone by, ^^that once fair 
spreading family is dissolved;" the majority have 
crossed the flood, and no two lie beneath the same 
green sod. Never more shall we be gathered to- 
gether in this wayward world. 

3. The saints of God are sometimes scattered here 
by Church polity. AVe do not all subscribe to the 
same ecclesiastical government, to the same forms; 
but this is nothing, provided we are not cursed 
^^with a want of love." There is variety in the in- 
ner as well as in the outer man. Still this separates. 
It is a separation of convenience. Indeed, conven* 
ience sometimes calls for the separation of members 
of the same denomination. Can all the Methodists, 
in a large city, meet in one house? Can all the 
Presbyterians gather themselves together under one 
pastor? K"ot now, my beloved. But of all the 
saints of God, who sacrifice on earth, none are more 
separated than the Bethel saints — the true saints of 
God, who are scattered abroad over the wude seas, 
and lakes, and rivers, as w^ell as many who are laid 
up in dry dock, and others who are water-logged all 
along the coast of life, scattered and peeled, and as 
Sterne w^ould say, ^^and that to the quick." 

Some of these, in their short stay on land, have 
made their confession to Almighty God, meekly pre- 
senting a crucified Savior, as their only sacrifice, 
their only argument, their only lamb. God has 



258 



THE CEOSS. 



heard in heaven, answered on earth, and, as father 
Taylor has said, ^'before the tears of penitence have 
dried on their cheeks, they have weighed anchor, 
and are again facing the chilling north-wester/' 
By and by, like a bird of passage, alighting, they 
drop into port, hie away to the Bethel, have a song 
and a prayer, with shipmates dear, break bread and 
drink wine, with a floating brotherhood, shake 
hands, and shout and sing, 

" Farewell, dear friends, time rolls along, 
We have no home, no stay with you; 
We hoist our sails, and travel on, 
Till we a fairer world do view." 

What would the Christian sailors be, in this tem- 
pestuous world, but as feathers driven to and fro, 
were it not for the hope, 

"The blissful hope! 
The hope by Jesus given; 
The hope, when days and years are passed, 
We ail shall meet in heaven ?" 

But there is a day of gathering coming. We are 
taught that a period is coming, when the God of all 
spirits shall arise out of his holy place, and call 
upon the heavens above, and the earth below, and 
on all his mighty angels, saying, '^Gather together 
my saints, those who have made a covenant with 
me, by sacrifice!" AUeluiah! At that sound all 
the stays and stanchions, and props, and shores of 
time will give way, the ages of earth will sink 
into the bright eternal now, and martyred Abel 



ITINERANT LIFE. 



259 



will embrace the last elect of Adam's ruined 
family. 

" Abraham and Isaac, there, 
And Jacob shall receive, 
The iollowers of their faith and prayer, 
Who now in bodies live." 

At that sound^ the earth with all its wearisome 
miles, and deep seas, and rivers, and mighty mount- 
ains, will shrivel as a parchment-scroll, and all the 
saints of the Most Hi2:h will come flockino; home 
from the north and the south, and the east and 
the west, and, 0, what a gathering of the waters! 
What multitudes will flow together into the ever- 
lasting kingdom of God's dear Son I At that sound, 
Church polity will be no more — there will be one 
fold, one shepherd, one temple; ^4or the Lord God 
Almighty and the Lamb are the temple" of the iSTew 
Jerusalem, and the will of God will be the will of his 
people, from thenceforth, and forever more. ComO; 
shipmate, will you set sail for this gathering? Then 
bring your sacrifice. Bring one that God will 
accept. Bring the Lamb, slain, in the Divine Mind, 
from the foundation of the world. Bring Christ, 
for him hath God the Father sealed. And he has 
said, ^^This is my beloved son, in whom / am icell 
pleased^ Isow present your offering. ^' Here, Lord, 
am I, a poor, wretched sinner, lost, undone; but 
here is my sacrifice, my ransom, my only plea. I 
have sinned — 0, how grievously! — but Christ has 
died, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God." 



260 



THE CEOSS. 



Pray on, wrestle on, believe on, penitent soul, and 
God will enter into an everlasting covenant with 
you, for life and salvation, for time and for eternity. 

Having passed the morning of my life on the 
seas it is not strange that the habitudes of the sail- 
or followed me into the ministry. This gave rise 
to many questions, and I could not, without rude- 
ness, avoid satisfying the social firesides by relating 
some things which had fallen under my observation 
in my ramblings on the sea. They seemed to be so 
deeply interested in every thing of a nautical na- 
ture, that I conceived the idea of explaining several 
passages in the Bible where marine figures are very 
happily used; and I often illustrated them by what 
I had seen and experienced on land and flood. I 
soon discovered that this kind of preaching was 
eff*ective; but it was not long before I found it was 
peculiarly so under certain circumstances. When 
the devotional feeling of the congregations had 
taken a spring tide, and the soul of the preacher 
in unison, then have we received extraordinary 
power, and the revivals have been mightily ad- 
vanced. We had the most satisfactory evidence of 
the utility of this course, of which we may give 
illustrations hereafter. 

The use of technical language in discoursing on 
religious and solemn subjects, by no means implies 
an absence of veneration or want of piety. A pre- 
siding elder, who is now in heaven we trust, once 
told us he would like to hear us preach a sea-ser- 



ITINERANT LIFE. 



261 



mon at any other time but on the Sabbath. This 
we received, but did not resent, as an insult, be- 
cause it implied that we would dare speak, as a min- 
ister of God, on a week-day, what would be unsuit- 
able to the Sabbath. The revelations of God are 
clothed in language suited to the common profes- 
sions in life. It is true that nautical phrases might 
appear singular, yea, ridiculous to a novice, but to 
the sailor they are natural, indeed oftentimes un- 
avoidable. We felt a religious swell in our soul, a 
few weeks since, when a gentleman from the East 
was telling us of the death of a pious sailor. 

A religious shipmate, who was solicitous of his 
welfare, approached his berth and said, ^'It seems, 
messmate, that your glass is well-nigh out; we 
would like to know your prospects — how do you 
head?" 

^^0, all is well — I see land just ahead." 

Some hours after, when his eyes were almost set 
in death, the question was repeated, when, with a 
smile that revealed more than mortal tonQ:ue could 
utter, he whispered, Glory be to God! I am just 
doubling the cape! AUeluiahl" Was there any 
thing irreverent in this? Xo; it was the spontane- 
ous and, therefore, sincere language of a sanctified 
seaman. And if our vocabulary should extend into 
eternity, we will doubtless hear again of the ^^stead- 
fast anchor," the blissful haven," the sailor's 
home," in a vv^orld of light and glory, ^Svith God 
eternally shut in." 



262 



THE CHOSS. 



Some people think it is all right to preach on the 
parable of the sower, and to illustrate the sermon 
with all the technical phrases of a farmer, or to 
preach on the Christian temple, all fitly framed 
together," using the square, line, and plummet, as 
a skillful carpenter, or on the '^balm of Gilead," 
exhausting all the pharmacology of materia medica, 
but it is awful to come down into the ship, and 
'^sit in the sea," and preach to those on the land, 
as our Savior unquestionably did. 

We are not among the number of those who con- 
tend that sincerity will save a man. God has his 
ordained plan of salvation. But we are willing to 
admit that sincerity is a very necessary ingredient 
in that peculiar frame of mind which prepares the 
sinner to receive with meekness the ingrafted Word 
that is able to save. 

It was sincerity that- nerved the arm of Saul of 
Tarsus, when he was laying waste the Church of 
Christ, but it was a sincerity powerless to save. 

A gentleman went on board a ship to invite the 
crew to a temperance lecture, which was to be de- 
livered in the evening. The men with one accord 
began to make excuses. At last they agreed if one 
of the crew, pointing him out to the gentleman, 
would go, they all would. This sailor was the 
bully of the ship, the ringleader in all mischief, and 
they had no idea that he could be towed into a 
temperance meeting. He was kindly approached, 
and by one of those eccentric whims often found in 



ITINERANT LIFE. 



263 



man, lie declared solemnly that lie would be on 
hand. In the evening the crew refused to go, but 
steady to his purpose he went alone. It happened 
that a pious lady presented him a New Testament, 
which he thankfully received. When he returned 
on board his shipmates asked him what he had got 
by going to the temperance meeting. 

^^I got that/' said he, holding up his book. 

''And what's that?" asked some of the crew. 

''Why, it's the New Testament." 

''It's all a pack of lies," said one. 

"Avast heaving, and let me read a bit." 

He then solemnly read a very impressive portion 
of the book, and when he had finished, he flashed 
his eyes around and said, 

''Do ye see, if any man now says that's 'a pack 
of lies,' I 'm bound to thrash him." 

As many as three, who were ambitious of a fuss, 
at once exclaimed, "It's all lies." Whereupon he 
unbuttoned his collar, and laid the whole triumvir- 
ate on their beam ends, and suff'ered them not to 
rise till they acknowledged that what they had 
heard was truth, and nothing but the truth. 

Believing himself that his book was the truth of 
God, he continued to read it, and it was not long 
before this violent defender of the Word of God was 
found peaceably sitting at the feet of Jesus, and 
clothed, and in his right mind. He was sincere in 
fighting for the truth, but God had mercy upon 
him, for he did it ignorantly — in unbelief. 



264 



THE CKOSS. 



XX. 

FIRST CONFERENCE-BRUSH CREEK 

CIRCUIT. 

Zanesville was the first Conference I attended 
after my reception. In attending the camp meet- 
ing, I was invited by the preacher in charge to 
preach the night before the Conference met. I 
consented, in my simplicity, not knowing the 
preachers would come in till the morning of the 
Conference. I now began to consider what I should 
preach about. There was one text that I had used 
just before I left my circuit— somewhere in the 
woods — and it seemed to be unusually successful. 
That was fixed upon. When we got into the meet- 
ing-house we found it full, and about one-third were 
preachers. The bishops were in the altar, and a 
cold shiver ran over me. This was somewhat 
allayed by my good friend, James B. Finley, taking 
his seat in the pulpit to follow me. My text was. 

Therefore he said unto his servants. See, Joab's 
field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go 
and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the 
field on fire.'' In the first place, we set forth the 
narrative, paying a strong compliment to Joab, and 



FIRST CONFERE^'CE. 



265 



somewhat disapproving David's constant prejudice 
aecainst a servant so brave, so devoted. Then we 
showed that people in modern times cultivated 
opinions and doxies with as much care and indus- 
try as Joab did his barley-field — to instance: 

1. The barley-field of Arianism. But God in 
great mercy sent his servants to set that notion on 
fire. And then how we did it. Then thev would 
come to God to inquire. 

2. The ereat barlev-field of Calvinism. It was 
our duty to set that on fire. W^e here stated how 
we had heard some^ in our class meetings and love- 
feast-s, tell how they were once devoted to this ism^ 
and how the preachers set all their bigotry on fire, 
and drove them to God. 

3. The barley-field of Universalism. This we set 
on fire: and, in connection with it, the field of infi- 
delity. 

4. Idolatrous barley-fields. Here we showed how 
parents would sometimes love their children with 
undue afi'ection, and how God would send his ano:els 
to take them away ; how merchants would become 
too much engrossed in commerce, and the Lord 
would set their ships on fire, or sink them; how 
strongly sinners vrere wedded to their sins; but in 
all these cases God — not in wrath, but in mercy — 
sent his servants to set their fields on fire, as a 
means of their seeing the reconciled face of their 
father, as Absalom did. ATe had hardly got half- 
way through, when we felt the pulpit waving and 



266 



THE CBOSS. 



^shaking as if we had been at the royal-masthead, 
and, casting a glance behind, saw brother Finley 
with his head down between his knees, and his 
sides rising and falling like a blacksmith's bellows. 
This damped my ardor a little; but I made out my 
points. Still there were too many Joabs there of 
different denominations, and too many of Absalom's 
servants — too heavy a press of black cloth. So I 
sat down considerably mortified, and determined to 
hang up that text, with all its appurtenances, like 
a ham of venison to dry. When meeting was over, 
brother Finley said, Brother L., you have been 
six months making that sermon." But I assured 
him I had never preached on the text but a week 
before. We record this as an error, hoping all 
young preachers may take warning, and not under- 
take singular texts, or hastily believe that they 
were originally intended to apply to things spirit- 
ual. Were I a bishop, I would embrace this advice 
in every charge: ^^Let your text be as plain as, 
^Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at 
hand.'" 

In that Conference I saw a man who seemed to 
be a pillar, and who delivered several speeches. I 
asked brother Sale who he was. He told me, and 
said, 

''He is one of our great men." 
''Yes," said I, "but he is not religious." 
"0, brother L., you must not talk so. What 
evidence have you got that he is not religious?" 



FIEST COXFEKEXCE 



267 



^^Xone; only I feel that he is not sincere." 

Here brother Sale, Avith pleasant smiles^ gave me 
a lecture^ sho^ving that preachers would often be 
obliged to deal with men according to their pro- 
fession in the Church, although their own minds 
are not clear in their characters. Still the observ- 
ation seemed to strike him, coming as it did from 
one who was an entire stranger to the man; and I 
believe he thought I had not come far short of 
striking the nail on the head. Before two years 
had passed, the subject of our conversation sud- 
denly turned his back on religion, and gave ample 
evidence of previous unsoundness. 

"While speaking on the subject of Conference I 
Vvill say, that many at this time think that the 
young men take too much on themselves in debate. 
This is a consequential reaction; about the time 
my class, and, indeed, several preceding classes 
came on the roll, the Conference was oppressed by 
a stronp; senioritv. Althoua'h these classes embrace 
some of our strong preachers, yet there is not to be 
found a Conference-speaker among them. There 
were a number of old men in the Conference — pious 
and wise, and very able to do the business of the 
body. AVhen a young man — as they would call 
him, though stiffly bearded — would rise up to speak, 
some of them would roll something in his way — 
some parliamentary omission or something else. I 
remember one saying, ''Mr. President, I think it 
becomes young meyi modestly to refrain from speak- 



268 THE CROSS. 

ing on sucli an important subject." The preachers 
would talk a great deal about this in the lobby. 
One would say, '^Brethren, who will know how to 
do Conference business when our elder brethren are 
removed? We are not permitted to learn." An- 
other would say, ^^Well, they will go to heaven 
soon, and leave you the field." This last one, 
though a preacher, was not a prophet; for they 
lived on till the boys became gray-headed, and 
had by reverential silence lost the animus of con- 
troversy. Then the later classes — Young Amer- 
ica — took the floor, and some of us are glad they 
did; because they tolerate old folks rather more 
than old folks tolerated them. So, all can have 
their ^^my." He who is now the lion of the Cin- 
cinnati Conference floor, had many a hard tack to 
get the weather-gage of seniority, and he could not 
have done it unless the Lord had laid his keel and 
head of adamant. Our English brethren try hard 
to guard their seniority to the present day; but, 
now and then, an adventurous cutter runs the 
blockade. We believe that a Conference is a place 
where every person may speak freely whatever is 
in his hearty If this is heresy let us be tried by 
the Discipline. 

Some might say, ^^Well, the young men wanted 
to make showy speeches, and so become popular." 
This was not always the case. We sometimes saw 
the very gist of the question — the mystery hidden 
from the beginning of the argument in the heat of 



BRUSH CEEEK. 



269 



debate, and could have placed it in lucid position, 
but our ^'lot forbade/' It would have required an 
effort beyond the power of modest clay, even to get 
the floor; an effort that would have knocked all the 
wind out of our sails. 

One thing more in regard to Conferences, and 
that is the practice of making the question of ap- 
pointments the last question, contrary to the Disci- 
pline; or, in other words, making it the question 
after Conference has been closed with singing and 
prayer, and leaving some ministers ignorant of 
their destination till read out publicly. A minister 
who can bear this without extreme laceration of 
feeling is unworthy to bear the vessels of the Lord. 
It is also a very impolitic course. An appointment 
which under some circumstances might be almost 
ruinous to one, might, under other circumstances, 
be very acceptable to another. 

BEUSHCREEK. 

1825. The next circuit to which I was appointed 
was Brush Creek. My colleague was William Sim- 
mons. We were both young men, and had a very 
agreeable year. This circuit, in some of its appoint- 
ments, was considerably tainted with witchcraft and 
conjuration. In working on the camp-ground, I 
was telling a local preacher of some standing how 
I had just lost a horse. He expressed much regret 
that he had not heard of the hurt of the animal in 
time, as he could have most certainly saved his life. 



270 



THE CROSS. 



He spoke so confidently that it struck me that the 
receipt might serve me on some future emergency. 
But I was astonished when he unfolded the course 
of conjuration through which he would have cured 
my horse. When he had got through I laughed. 
This horrified him, and he denounced me on the 
spot as an infidel. We had a very interesting trial 
founded on witchcraft at one point of the circuit. 
There was a very amiable widow and her daughters 
living in the neighborhood, who were reported as 
witches by a member of the Church. It was some 
time before the slander reached their ears. They 
had shown many acts of kindness toward the afflict- 
ed member who had for a long time suspected them. 
As he was poor and not able to work much, the 
widow carried to his family a large package of 
sugar. She had hardly got out of the gate before 
he threw the sugar on the fire, and observed to 
some of the neighbors present, that the witch could 
not come over him in that way. When the widow 
heard the report she was greatly afflicted, and was 
advised by her friends to bring the slanderer before 
the Church. At the trial there was abundant tes- 
timony that the slander had been widely spread 
through the country. When the defendant under- 
took to prove the malpractices of the lady, it 
became a question with the committee whether 
such an attempt might be suff'ered in such an age 
of light; but one of the committee, who v/as a little 
tainted with the belief of witchcraft himself, insisted 



BRUSH CKEEK. 271 

on hearing the defense. The most of the testimony 
was what we call hearsay.'' Still the preacher, 
like a good fisherman^ slacked off the line for a 
season, and the auditors were astounded at the 
romance. A German doctor, somewhere in the 
woods, had averred that the witch had several 
times dragged him from his bed, at midnight, and 
had sent him up among the rocky branches of the 
hills and dales, in search of hens' nests. Another 
had said, not having; heard his cow-bell in the even- 
ing, he had walked over all the forest seeking her,* 
but when he got back in sight of his house, there 
was the cow, and the said woman was on her back, 
holding the clapper of the bell. The defense was 
going on for quantity, when the member of the com- 
mittee, for whose sake it was allowed, looked at his 
peers, and said, ^^Must we sit here listening to such 
abominable stuff? I'm satisfied." 

He was expelled. When I came round to my 
appointment the expelled man took me to one side, 
and said, 

^^I am now put out of the Church, and do not 
intend to make any fuss; but I will ask one little 
favor which you can easily grant, that is, let that 
sister, that has prosecuted me, come and lay her 
hand upon my head before the congregation, and 
say, ^God bless you,' " 

^^No-, sir." 

'^Then I hope before twelve months have rolled 
round, you yourself will become bewitched." 



272 



-THE CBOSS. 



"Whether his hope ever reached its fruition, I leave 
the readers to judge. It would, however, be doing 
nothing more than justice to them to say that, before 
the twelve months were out, I got married to a pious 
young lady, that I considered very bewitching, and 
she has been my mate for many years over life's 
rough sea, and has endured as much in the itiner- 
ancy as any other woman. This same witchcraft, 
under the dress of ^^spirit-rappings," has molested 
some of our charges in later years. 

The Minutes give us this year an increase of 
ninety-five members. This does not seem to fill my 
recollection of things; but my colleague held the 
reins of discipline with ^^a mild but firm hand." In 
those days members could not stay in two or three 
years, and not attend class, unless prevented by in- 
firmities, or wicked parents or husbands. 

I learned a good deal under brother Simmons, in 
"* regard to Western Methodism and administration ; and 
if he learned any good from me, he is welcome to it. 

I lacked, especially, one thing, the talent of sing- 
ing. At first I thought I would at any moment 
dismount, and give up my horse, saddle, and bridle, 
for the ability to sing. Then again I have thought 
I was so fond of music, that, if the Lord had made 
me a singer, I would have broken down long ago. 
I can join, in some sort, with the congregation; but 
can lead in only one tune. If you ask, reader, what 
tune is that, you are too hard for me. I put it 
forth in emergencies. 



SCIOTO. 



273 



In one obscure appointment, on a new circuit, I 
found no one to start the tune. I invited the 
brethren, but no response. I turned an imploring 
look to the sisters; one gave a woe-begone shake of 
the head, as much as to say, vain hope! I fell on 
my own resource, and the congregation joined in. 
After the meeting was over, a smiling sister came 
forward and said, '^Brother, I must shake hands 
with you. Thank God ! the Ohio Conference has 
sent us a preacher at last who can sing!" I sighed 
and thought, ^^Alas, sister, you know not how 
slender my capital is/' 

SCIOTO. 

1826. I rode this circuit in connection with 
brother Absalom Fox; Eussel Bigelow presiding 
elder. We had a good year, and a fine revival 
about the Forge. Several young married people 
were converted, and came to their leader to inquire 
about baptism. This struck him with conviction on 
that subject. He had been about thirty years in 
the Church, and some years class-leader, was con- 
vinced that he ought to be baptized, but had all 
that time been studying about the mode. The con- 
verts wished to be immersed. We gave out an ap- 
pointment to baptize them. When the hour arrived, 
no house could hold the multitude. I preached on 
the subject, with all the candidates seated before 
me. The view held out was the difference between 
baptism and the difi'erent modes by which it was 



274 



THE CEOSS. 



exhibited; that the mode was not baptism; it 
was a sacrament not more holy than the Lord's 
Supper. This was administered by the Churches in 
different modes; but the Churches did not unship 
each other on this account, or think that a mode 
could vitiate the ordinance. Therefore, we as min- 
isters were willing to perform the service in that 
mode which would be most agreeable to the recip- 
ients. Still, if they could patiently bear, I would 
give my own understanding of the subject. Among 
other good things which had been mentioned, it was 
a sign or representation of that all-essential baptism 
of the Holy G-host. How was this performed? 
The Scriptures most definitely declare by affusion. 
The grace of God is represented as coming down as 
the early and the latter rain, like dew on the mown 
grass. On the day of Pentecost, all that was visible 
in that baptism were cloven tongues of fire, falling 
on the heads of the disciples. All that was audible 
was a sound from heaven, like the rushing of a 
mighty wind. Now, when the Lord commissioned 
the apostles to put the sign of this baptism on their 
converts, whether is it the most reasonable to sup- 
pose that they represented it, as they had expe- 
rienced it as coming down from heaven, and falling 
upon their heads, or that in exhibiting it they 
reversed the whole order of things, and immersed 
the subjects beneath the water? With many other 
words did we reason on this subject; but finally ob- 
served we had fully prepared for every mode; that 



SCIOTO. 



275 



no mere mode could destroy the validity of the con- 
secration. Baptism was the sincere dedication of 
the soul to God with water. The matter was purely 
between them and their God; and if the Lord saw 
they were sincere he would accept them. 

I then came down, and asked each candidate sep- 
arately, and in a whisper, What mode? To my 
astonishment, every one but the leader said he — or 
she, as the case was — would be fully satisfied with 
affusion at the altar. We had a good time, and 
this discharge of duty gave a fresh impulse to the 
work. Some, though, were almost, not quite, dis- 
appoiJited; for some people, Avho seldom go to meet- 
ing in their own neighborhood, will walk five miles 
to see a man or woman put under the water. I 
said not quite. The leader rose up, and said he had 
long studied this matter, and read the Bible, and 
he had found that it would carry him into the water, 
but no further. 

Philip," said he, ^^went down with the eunuch 
into the water: but that was not baptism, for it is 
said afterward, ^ and he baptized him/ after this 
they came up * out of the ivater,' but this was no 
part of baptism. The baptism was between their 
going into the ivater and their coming out of the 
water. So I wish the preacher to go down with 
me, knee-deep — then I will kneel down, and he will 
pour the water upon my head, and then we '11 come 
up out of the water." The whole congregation 
marched doAvn to see this new kind of baptism. 



276 



THE CBOSS. 



So I got my feet wet any how. But all the while 
I did not believe that Philip and the eunuch did 
more than to go to a certain water — perhaps a 
spring. Even the Baptists understand the word 
^^into" as covering no more in many places in the 
Bible where it is not in connection with baptism — 
then it means under.'' 

We had a fine camp meeting toward the close of 
the year. As it was in the neighborhood of a Pres- 
byterian charge, and as the minister had to be ab- 
sent that Sabbath, he recommended his congregation 
to attend the camp meeting. Many of them came. 
In those days, we thought we were doing a small 
business on Sunday morning if we did not have two 
or three sermons, one after another. Best to the 
ashes of that habit ! After the eight-o'clock and 
noon services, the Presbyterians retired to a con- 
venient spot to take their lunch, and a Methodist 
heard something like the following dialogue: 

A. Well, brethren, what do you think of the ser- 
mons ? 

B, Why, my opinion is they were truly orthodox ; 
but I have been trying to reconcile it with what I 
have been taught from childhood, and that is, that 
the Methodists preached salvation by works. Have 
you ever heard the doctrines of grace set forth in a 
clearer light? 

CI Well, they did at first preach dead works; 
but their theology is improving. In fact, they have 
altered their Discipline. I have been informed that 



SCIOTO. 



277 



their present Discipline is widely different from the 
original. 

D, There can be no objection to the doctrine we 
have heard this day; and their preaching talents, 
on an average, are superior to those of our minis- 
ters. We have a great man here and there, but 
where will you find so many at one meeting? 

E. Well, the reason is, we are so stingy about 
theoWical schools. It is evident to every observ- 
ing man that all these men have been highly edu- 
cated. We Avill have to be doing in the way of 
education, or we will certainly be left behind. 

This year I was married to Miss Mary Mitchell, 
daughter of George and Ann Mitchell. My wife's 
father was a local minister in the Methodist 
Church. Mary is so well known, and so well be- 
loved by all the sisterhood, where our lot has been 
cast, that it would be out of place for me to gefc up 
any eulogy. It will not soon be forgotten with 
what zeal and promptness she gave in her testi- 
mony in our love-feasts and classes, and with what 
fervor and modesty she labored and prayed about 
the mourners' bench. Her father's house was a 
preaching-place in Kentucky for many years. Un- 
der William Holman and Samuel West a 2:reat revi- 
val broke out in that house, and all the family that 
had come to years of understanding were converted, 
with about one hundred of the neighbors. Mary 
claims that brother West was the instrumentality 
of her conversion. This was when she was fifteen 



278 



THE CEOSS. 



years of age. The day that this revival broke out, 
Holman said he prayed, at every step his horse 
took, all the way to his appointment — and prayed 
especially for the family. 

Brother Fox, my colleague, was an old acquaint- 
ance. When I was teaching school in Lebanon he 
was working on his bench. He had been authorized 
to preach, but through diffidence and temptations 
he had almost ceased to work when I invited him 
to accompany me to my country appointments. Be- 
lieving he was of the pure material, I exhorted him 
not to become faint, but to double his diligence. 
He soon after joined the Conference, and on this his 
first year I enjoyed the pleasure of his partnership. 
He became one of our most useful ministers, and 
filled several important appointments; but he sank 
down at noon, or rather rose to a higher orbit, as 
we trust, to shine with brighter luster, world with- 
out end. 0, Absalom, Absalom, my friend Absa- 
lom! Sweet is the remembrance of thy many 
virtues and labors. 

One day, while riding my circuit near Chilli- 
cothe, I passed a distillery. My attention was ar- 
rested by a dog raising water with a tread-wheel. I 
paused to watch his maneuvers. The principal came 
to the door, and viewing me as a greenhorn, said, 

^^Did you ever see the like before?" 

^^No, sir, I never did; but I think it very appro- 
priate. It always struck me that this business of 
YOurs is extremely doggish." 



SCIOTO . 



279 



His face gathered uj), like a storm off Cape Hat- 
teras. I touched my horse^ and was off. 

With all our losses by removals and otherwise, 
we had an increase of seventy-seven members. I 
can not remember the exact number we took in, 
but there was one singular circumstance connected. 
At the opening of the year we ruled lines in our 
memorandum for the record of such as might join. 
I ruled till I thought, surely if all these lines are 
filled we w^ill do well; so I ceased ruling. The last 
member I took in filled the last line. Then I 
thought of what the dying prophet told the king — 
if he had smitten five or six times with his arrows 
he would have consumed Syria. 

The following circumstance transpired on this 
circuit. A well-bred young man, apparently under 
much religious concern, united himself with an ex- 
cellent religious society. Althotigli he had formerly 
been rather wayvv^ard and inconstant in his life, yet 
by his steady attendance on all the means of grace, 
and the rapid improvement which he seemed to 
make in his religious course, he had gained largely 
on the affections of his classmates; and some of the 
most pious and discerning had already begun to 
regard him as a youth of some promise. In the 
same neighborhood resided a comely and, in many 
respects, a very amiable girl. Heaven had, in 
mercy, granted her one of the greatest of all earthly 
blessings, a pious parentage. But she was of an 
unusually-volatile disposition, and passionately fond 



280 



THE CEOSS. 



of the world, its fashions and amusements. Our 
young friend saw her, loved her, and finally made 
proposals of marriage. Eliza acknowledged that 
she was pleased with him. ^^But, "William," said 
she, there is one insuperable barrier to our union. 
You profess religion, and I have no reason to doubt 
your sincerity. You see what a giddy, vain, and 
heedless sinner I am. What domestic happiness do 
you suppose will arise from our marriage? You, 
as a man of God, would feel it to be your duty to 
erect a family altar; I am illy qualified to partici- 
pate in holy exercises. You would love to see 
every thing clothed in the somber aspect of Chris- 
tianity; I might love to shine out with my fashion- 
able friends. Consider the great gulf that lies 
between us. It is true, it is not impassable. But 
I am not prepared to come over to you, at present. 
It remains for you to consider whether you can 
forego your religious associations to accommodate 
me." William, with a sorrowful countenance and 
heavy sigh, observed that he would consider the 
matter. A few days after, in a heartless and reluct- 
ant manner, he requested the leader to have his 
name erased from the class-book when the preacher 
came round. The leader, supposing he was laboring 
under some cruel temptation of the enemy, urged 
him to confide in his integrity, and unbosom all his 
sorrows. The more solicitous the leader was to 
dissuade him from his purpose, the more earnestly 
he pressed his suit. The preacher, judging from 



SCIOTO. 



281 



the vehemency of his manner, that all was not 
right, and that it might be more creditable to the 
Church to let him go, granted his request. 

' It was not long before he stood before Eliza, and 
renewed his suit. She observed, 

'^You are aware of the only difficulty that lies in 
the way 

Before she finished the sentence, he exclaimed, 
with a smile, 

'^0, that is removed — my name is taken from the 
book — I am no longer a Church member." 

The young lady fell back in her chair. A deadly 
paleness overspread her face, and with quivering lips 
she said, 

^'I will never consent to marry you while the 
world stands. It is true I am wild and irreligious; 
but the pious instructions of my parents, the relig- 
ious opportunities which I have had, the many 
heart-searching sermons which I have heard, have 
for a long time disturbed my peace, and have de- 
termined me not to choose death. In view of my 
natural proneness to ruin, I had determined to 
marry none but a man who would help me to save 
my soul. I had flattered myself that you were such 
a character, but thought it would be safe to try 
your steadfastness. When the proposal to leave 
your class was first made, if you had rejected it 
with a manly and holy indignation, you would have 
received my hand on the spot. When you promised 

to consider the matter, I saw an indecision of char- 

24 



282 



THE CEOSS. 



acter that made me tremble. But even after so 
many days' deliberation^ if you had returned and said 
that you loved Zion above your chief joy — above 
father and mother and wife and all; then I could 
have confided my life in your hands. But the die 
is cast. You will please never mention the subject 
again — forever. ' ' 

We hope the reader will never realize the anguish 
of the rejected suitor. The Church avoided him as 
an insincere and dangerous character. The world^ 
more cruel, reserved him as a standing target of 
ridicule. Some think that a compromising course, 
in religious matters, is most likely to win over their 
irreligious friends and connections. Hence they 
have relaxed their fervor in the services of the 
sanctuary. They have even admitted the propriety 
of things which were doubtful, and shaped their 
profession too much in conformity with the views of 
the w^orld. This, w^e will admit, has often warded 
off persecution, and has sometimes restored peace in 
families; but it is a peace that impoverishes piety, 
enervates the soul, and is always bought at the ex- 
pense of the Cross and kingdom of Jesus Christ. 
We doubt whether this vacillating policy has ever 
saved a soul. Steadfastness and decision of faith 
have, and always will, where salvation is possible. 



MIAMI CIEGUIT. 



283 



XXI. 

MIAMI AND MAD RIVER CIRCUITS. 

We were appointed to Miami circuity with An- 
drew M'Clain in charge^ and John Collins presiding 
elder. We deem it unnecessary to give the bound- 
aries of every circuit and the history of every 
appointment. This would fill a volume; for every 
society has an interesting record, and the remem- 
brance of events very pleasant to its own circle. 
But, as an example of the circuits of the time, w^e 
will say that this circuit had twenty-eight appoint- 
ments, and the reader can judge of the rest days, 
or account, if he please, for the absence of bron- 
chitis. The circuit approached within five miles of 
Lebanon, embracing Hamilton, Blue Eock, Cheviot, 
neighborhood of ClevestoAvn, through Cincinnati to 
Fulton, Columbia, Helltown, Carthage, Madisonville, 
Indian Hill, and Grermantown, within two miles of 
Milford, with minor intervening places. The ground 
now comprises seven stations, and five circuits, and 
part of two districts. This was, in that day, a very 
religious country. People would come from all parts 
to our quarterly or two-days' meetings; and gener- 
ally they would not C(^e in vain, but carry the 



284 



THE CROSS. 



hallowed fire to their homes and to their classes. 
We had not been settled here long^ before the 
brethren sent to us a wagon-load of provisions^ of 
divers kinds^ from Indian Hill, about ten miles 
distant. 

We rode this circuit again, in 1845 and 1846. 
It was then very much curtailed in extent. I was 
associated, these two years, with J. W. Steele, an- 
other noble-hearted colleague not soon to be forgot- 
ten ; and we had for our presiding elder, Zachariah 
Connell. Again I w^as returned to this circuit, in 
1868, with brother Levi White — William Herr 
presiding elder. So we have been well acquainted 
with the most of the old members for many years, 
and can testify that some of the excellent of the 
earth are found among them. On my last year 
there, we had much affliction in our family, and my 
wife's sister died. Dr. John Cox attended us night 
and day. I expected the bill to be high — justly 
so — and would have met it cheerfully if it had 
taken my horse; but he generously refused any 
compensation. I feel under everlasting obligations 
to him. In my travel of forty years, I have found 
the doctors uniformly kind, and have wondered 
that the preachers do not make more of them stew- 
ards. They understand our frame. On one circuit, 
where a doctor might have brought a heavy bill 
against me, he was urged by some of the stewards 
to do so, as it would so nicely foot the quarterage, 
but he indignantly rejected the proposal. So it is; 



UXD E I V E K C I E. C U I T . 



285 



there are some stewards who do n't care how the 
minister is paid — whether in money^ or pumpkins, 
or calomel and jalap; whereas^ if they were of the 
spirit of Christ, they would pay the physician — 
inasmuch as physic is not allowed with fuel and 
table expenses. 

MAD EIVEE CIECUIT. 

1828-29. This circuit was considered, at this 
time, as the garden of the Lord in Ohio, and 
Urbana as the midst of the garden, where waved 
the Tree of Life. Burroughs Westlake was the 
preacher in charge. He was a good preacher, an 
honest man, and guileless almost to a fault. He just 
spoke what he thought of every man ; but he spoke 
it to hwi rather than to another. This, of course, 
frequently gave offense. We often expostulated 
with him, arguing that it was not necessary that 
we should speak out all our mind, and that there 
was no deceit in holding; back what mis-ht raise a 
squall. 

One day, after a tiresome ride, he stopped at the 
house of a prominent member — not on the Urbana 
circuit — and the brother was not at home, but the 
family invited him in. x^ccording to his descrip- 
tion the house was disoTistinodv filthv, and the floor 
fearfully slippery. He withdrew immediately, and 
rode on to the next house. This cottas-e was as 
clean as a new pin, the coverlets like driven snow. 
Although a stranger, he was warmly solicited to 



286 



THE CKOSS. 



stay all night. This he did^ although the inmates 
were clothed in a skin not the color of his own. 
The brother whose house he had left had him 
arraigned for quitting his house so abruptly and 
lodging with a negro man. He insisted that the 
preacher had some hidden prejudice against him^ 
and he had a right to demand what it was before 
the quarterly conference. Westlake arose and said, 
as the brother demanded of him the reason of his 
conduct, he would, with Christian candor, give it. 
He then went on to describe very closely the filthy 
condition of the brother's house, the appearance of 
his wife and children, the unwholesome odor of the 
atmosphere around, and concluded by saying he 
would not feel easy if his horse had to pass a night 
under the brother's roof. True, he did stop with 
an African family, but they were distinguished for 
their Christian cleanliness. He had nothing against 
the brother, as he was an entire stranger. The 
brother, finding he had nothing criminal against 
him, as he supposed, but only a matter of taste, 
sat quietly down, and pushed the investigation no 
further. 

At one of his appointments there was a member 
of another Church who always staid in class meet- 
ing, and would sometimes speak disrespectfully of 
the proceedings. After leading class one day. West- 
lake observed him, and said, '^Stranger, you are at 
liberty to speak." The stranger arose, and was 
eloquent in praise of the naeans of grace, and told 



1 



MAD EIVEE CIRCUIT. 287 

how he enjoyed the privilege^ etc., and sat down. 
Burroughs looked on him, and said, Brother, we 
are willing that you should call occasionally , and 
partake of our sweetmeats and tidbits; but mind 
you, we do not want you to take up your lodging 
with us, unless you become one of the family." 
This gave everlasting offense to many of our old 
members. 

My colleague was the strongest man I ever knew 
in a running conversational argument, and he was 
full of the most spicy wit. Late one night, I was 
lying in the preachers' tent, at a camp meeting, 
awaiting sleep; but a noisy, verbose, jolly, and irre- 
sponsible Universalist was seated in a crowd on the 
camp-ground, and playing, as he might suppose, the 
piano-forte on them with his silvery tongue. Pres- 
ently I heard the voice of Westlake among them, 
asking him some very simple questions in the tone 
and manner of a hopeless greenhorn. I looked out; 
there he was seated among them, so disguised that 
his friends could not know him except by his voice. 
The orator, at first, was very gracious in instruct- 
ing his unknown disciple, and we felt impatient 
with the round-about approaches of the inquirer. 
At last the teacher began to ridicule Solomon, and 
made many vulgar remarks about his wives and 
concubines. Here Westlake, with great simplicity, 
said, 

^^But don't you think Solomon said some wise 
things?'' 



288 



THE CEOSS. 



'^When? I want to know, when?'' 

^^Whj, he said, ^Though thou shouldst bray a 
fool in a mortar, among wheat, with a pestle, yet 
will not his foolishness depart from him.' " 

Here the battle commenced amid repeated roars 
of laughter. The Universalist showed considerable 
low wit for a while, till he had exhausted the 
meager dogmas and stereotyped arguments of his 
profession. Then Westlake played upon him, cheered 
by the applause of the surrounding group, which 
every moment became larger and larger. His an- 
tagonist at last inquired in a respectful tone, ^^Are 
you not a Methodist preacher?" A horse on the 
outskirts w^as heard to neigh very impressively, and 
an eloquent voice in the crowd exclaimed, ^^Tes, 
yes, I hear you, and will be there in a minute." 

Westlake was eccentric, though religiously so. 
Sometimes when preaching delightfully, if he heard 
no Amen! it all went for little with him. One 
time, while preaching in the evening, at Urbana, to 
a large' congregation, he suddenly stopped, and said, 
^'Can I get no Amen? I would give a fi'pennybit 
to any one that would say Amen ! You do n't know 
how it would help me." A drunkard, who was 
rocking to and fro in the crowd, cried as loud as 
he was able, ^^Amen, and Amen!" The preacher, 
making no question of the author, sprung his luff, 
and had a good time. Early the next morning one 
of those who are accused in the . Bible of rising 
early, appeared at the parsonage, and told my 



11 AD E I V E R CIRCUIT. 



289 



brother that he was the man Avho helped him out 
of his scrape last nighty when none of his brethren 
would give him a lift^ and he called for his fip. 

'^What do you Avant with it?" 

'^Why, to get a dram this morning to wash down 
the cobwebs^ to be sure." 

^^I can't give you money to buy drams^ certainly." 

'^Can a minister of the Gospel break a promise 
given before three or four hundred people?" 

Westlake found himself outgeneraled, and had to 
fork over to feed the groggery. He had reached a 
knot that he could neither loosen nor cut. 

Toward the close of the first year I strongly 
urged my colleague to let me take up a collection 
for the Missionary Society. This was rather a new- 
thing. There were societies^ here and there, who 
sent up contributions, and some were gathered from 
individuals. T\^estlake was at first opposed to this. 

^^Why, brother L., this will prevent our pay. 
We had better give a liberal donation ourselves; 
for it will come out of us." 

My argument was, that the more a Christian 
gave the more liberal he would become. Still I 
felt that my stand was somewhat problematical. 
So we did not do it. At the end of the year we 
did not get all our pay. The next year I urged 
the matter so as to get his consent. What was the 
result? The Urbana circuit paid Westlake and his 
children and myself our quarterage and table ex- 
penses, and bought a nice parsonage, and gave us 



290 



THE CROSS. 



fifty dollars missionary money to carry to Confer- 
ence. When we made the report there was silence 
in Conference for the space of some seconds^ when 
our elder^ brother J. B. Finley^ arose and begged 
us to inform the Conference how we got so much. 
Since that day we have done what we could for the 
Missionary Society. But many of us who set the 
ball in motion, and have increased its impetus ever 
since, are never detailed to present its claims at 
Conference. It is a subject which affords a fine 
opportunity for those who are eloquent of speech. 
One of our brethren Avas once eulogizing the mis- 
sionary enterprise and the itinerant power on the 
Conference floor, and presently he broke out in the 
impassioned quotation, 

'•Should fate command me to the farthest verge 
Of the green earth, to " 

^^Stop there, brother," said a preacher from 
Michigan, ^^we want just such men as you in gut 
green 'verge.' " 

This cut off the speech at once, like the negro 
who prayed that the Lord would curtail the devil 
''smack smoove.'' The brother had never straddled 
a pair of saddle-bags, and, perhaps, never intended 
to. Let it not be supposed that we are hinting 
after such jobs now. The time has gone by, and if 
Ave could not expatiate on this theme which our 
soul loved in the ardor and prime of noon, Ave will 
hardly dishonor it before a Conference Avith the 
snuff of our eloquence. 



MAD RIVER CIRCUIT. 



291 



This year we attended a largo camp meeting on 
the road between Urbana and Troy. I preached on 
the Sabbath^ before a crowded congregation^ a sea- 
sermon. Toward the close a melting influence 
descended on the congregation. Many of the 
members were walking the aisles, shaking hands, and 
their faces seemed to shine, while shouts and rejoic- 
ing rolled over the ground. That was a good meet- 
ing throughout. Some years after this, while the 
Conference was sitting in Cincinnati, my landlady 
told me there was a gentleman in the parlor wishing 
to see me. When I went in I saw a very genteel 
and intelligent person, who said, w^e were both 
strangers to each other, in a certain sense, but he 
had come some distance principally to see me. He 
asked if I did not, some years ago, preach at a camp 
meeting near Troy, and preach from a certain text. 
I answered in the affirmative. ^*Well," said he, ^^I 
was a thoughtless, irreligious young man, making a 
tour through Ohio, and that camp meeting being 
near my road, I thought I would stop and rest a 
little while; so I tied up. I seated mj^self in the 
crowd. Till that time I had never heard preaching; 
that is, I never paid enough attention to a discourse 
throughout so as to derive any benefit. Some of 
your phraseology being singular, fixed my attention 
till you had finished, when I pursued my journey, 
but under convictions which have eventuated in my 
conversion, and I have, for several years, been a 
preacher in another Conference. I wished for a long 



292 



THE CEOSS. 



time to know who the minister was that had been 
instrumental in reaching my case. Lately I saw a 
preacher whom I recognized as one who was at that 
camp meeting, and asked him if he could tell me 
who it was that preached that sermon. I got your 
name, and thought it was my duty to report to 
you.'' "When he told me his name, I recollected 
seeing it frequently in the Advocate in connection 
with good works. 

When he had left, my soul was overwhelmed with 
gratitude to God. It is said, ^^he who turns a sin- 
ner [one sinner] from the error of his way, shall 
save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of 
sins." Then I thought, ^^And if that sinner should 
become a minister, and save others, and so on to 
the end of time, till the enlarging circles shall 
strike the shores of eternity, who can tell the 
eternal consequences of a word spoken in season?" 
Then I thought that the Savior said to his elated 
disciples, '^Kejoice not in this, that the devils are 
subject to your power; but rejoice in that your 
names are written in the book of life." Yes, our 
reward is pendent on that. 

"Lord, what are all my sufferings here, 
If thou but count me meet 
With that enraptured host to appear, 
And worship at thy feet!" 

Mav the Lord save that brother, whether North or 
South! What is Mason and Dixon's line to Al- 
mighty Power? 



MAD RIVEK CIKCUIT. 



293 



It was on this circuit that Ave first received the 
outlines of the rules of the Eaclical Church, drawn 
up and issued by the collected wisdom of that 
organization. I do not mean all the wisdom, for we 
had a considerable embodiment of it in the persca 
of one of their leadino; agitators, who held his mem- 
bership on our circuit, and who had not attended 
the conclave. This was brother Joseph Mitchell, 
commonly called '^Yankee Mitchell/"' not out of dis- 
respect, but to distinguish him from the numerous 
family of Mitchells then ranging ov:r camp. He 
was an acute, fluent minister; but not an orator in 
the common acceptation of the word, neither did he 
pretend to be. But all that Calvinist or Arminian 
knew of controversy's vast art, was to this Mitchell 
known. In his youthful days he was, doubtless, in- 
strumental in turning hundreds, if not thousands, 
in New England, to the doctrines of Methodism. 
He was terrible too on baptism. When preaching 
controversy — and, what else did he preach? — his 
delivery was as rapid, as cutting, as interesting as 
that of a smart, racv old woman when scoldino;. 
Every body who held to the truth loved to hear 
him. He was the presiding elder of Lorenzo Dow 
at his debut, Lorenzo, every now and then, taken 
with a sudden impression, would shoot off from his 
circuit like a wandering star, and Mitchell would 
have to push after him and bring him back to his 
moorings. Lorenzo would cry and promise to do 
better, but complained of his gaUing harness. iSTow, 



294 



THE CEOSS. 



whether the youth had caught this wandering infec- 
tion from his elder^ or the elder was overpowered 
by the logic of his pupil^ we can not say; but cer- 
tain it is that Mitchell fell into the same cosmopo- 
litish habits; and at the time we knew him he 
was in the habit of making an annual tour of all 
the States^ if not the Territories also^ of the Union; 
any how, he was at home when the Eeformed Dis-' 
cipline appeared. We crowded to him to know 
what he thought of the missive. He looked it over 
and rubbed his eyes; he looked it over again and 
scratched his head^ and then exclaimed something 
like this, As the Lord liveth! I could go to sleep 
and dream a better discipline than this." 

About this time the ministers of that connection 
were making heavy efforts on our circuit. There 
was one place where we had taken in a number of 
young people. While they were rejoicing in their 
first love, they were told that they had taken shel- 
ter under an unmixed despotism. As they had 
been lately converted, and knew but little about the 
constitution of Methodism, they became alarmed. 
What rendered their situation more perilous was, 
there were a few of the old members who looked 
favorably on the innovation. Brother Westlake took 
considerable pains to show the matter in its proper 
light, and succeeded to some extent. Some of our 
best men urged that it was better to say nothing 
about it, and quietly let things take their course. 
But there was a higher voice, saying, ^^Son of man, 



I^I A D E I V E E C I H C U I T . 



295 



I have made thee a watchman unto the house of 
Israel; therefore^ hear the word at my mouth and 
give them warning from me." When I came again 
to that appointment I was supplied with the new 
Discipline. I understood that notice had been given 
that a Reformed Methodist Church would be organ- 
ized next Sabbath. Some of our old members feared 
that there would be a large split. The congrega- 
tion was laro^e. As it Avas rnv re^'ular^time to read 
and explain the Discipline. I preached very short; 
then read the rules without comment; then^ to 
the surprise of many^ pulled out the rules of the 
Radical Churchy showed the contrast in several im- 
portant points — not forgetting the clause that threw 
a sanctity over all property acknowledged by the 
laws of the States, and which Joseph Mitchell him- 
self had denounced as a covert for slavery. I knew 
where I was standing, and I understood their cue. 
I exhorted them not to suppose that I was meddling 
unnecessarily with the rules of another Church, as 
they all knew that the last time a Radical preacher 
was there, he had done us the kindness to preach 
on OUT rules, and one good turn deserves another. 
The dav of ^^orQ:anization'" came, but our ranks 
were unbroken. 

Brother James B. Finley was, without exception, 
the most useful man of our connection in the West. 
He had not a polished education. This, we believe, 
Avas his own fault. His father superintended a 
most excellent school, in which some of the first 



296 



THE CEOSS, 



men of Kentucky received a liberal education. 
When we say it was liis own fault, we mean lie 
did not lack the opportunity of a teacher, or the 
acuteness necessary to comprehend; but his dispo- 
sition was adventurous and enterprising^ and his 
physical and mental energy corresponded, and it 
was a mercy that he learned any English, with so 
many wild deer and turkeys peeping at him in his 
walks. 

His father said John could preach, but James 
was a tolerable exhorter. All we might draw from 
this was that James was impatient of the old school 
systematizing, yet he would set his congregation on 
fire before his father would lay down his introduc- 
tion. Still his father was an excellent specimen of 
the Presbyterian type, and justly popular, in the 
strength of his manhood. He excelled in sermoniz- 
ing with his pen, and preached well extemporane- 
ously. James, sometimes in the impetuosity of zeal, 
might speak or act unadvisedly, but when con- 
vinced, no man, in my knowledge, was more ready 
to make humble confession. 

In examining the character of a certain minister 
Avho had been suspended, our elder, having received 
wrong impressions of the case, left his seat to advo- 
cate the cause of the defendant ; and being wrongly 
posted in the matter, his reasoning and conclusions 
were all defective in the estimation of the quarterly 
conference. Brother Westlake, in his quaint but 
good-natured way, said, '^Brother Finley, may not 



MAD EIVER CIECUIT. 



297 



some of us sit in that chair? Our conference is 
without a president while you are pleading." He 
quickly resumed his seat^ saying, ^^This conference 
acts like a parcel of little children." We adjourned 
awhile to return to the camp-ground and dine. 
After dinner "Westlake met the elder on the ground, 
and said, Brother Finley, do you think you did 
well in saying that such a venerable body of men 
acted like children?" He turned aw^ay, not in 
anger, but apparently afflicted. When the confer- 
ence reassembled, brother Finley occupied the chair 
in silence, and seemed to be absorbed in serious re- 
flections, till we became impatient. He then arose^ 
with tears in his eyes, and said, Brethren, I am 
unfitted to perform the duties of my office till I 
make suitable amends. When I look around on 
this assembly my eyes light on old venerable Meth- 
odists, who were humbly serving God while I was 
a wicked sinner, and some may have been official 
members before I was a preacher; but before we 
adjourned I said, ^you did business like little chil- 
dren.' I hope you wuU forgive me, one and all." 
We all fell on our knees, and, 0, what a prayer! 
It seemed as if all the bottles of heaven were 
opened, and were pouring on our assembly. When 
he came to understand the case correctly, he seemed 
to be more than ever afflicted at his course. Iso 
man ever discharged the duties of a presiding elder 
better than he; and we could write a chapter in his 
praisC; but his life is before the world. 



298 THE CBOSS. 

About this time the disaffected members with- 
drew from our Church, and caused considerable 
decrease. 



Z A N E S V I L L E C I E C U I T . 



299 



XXII. 

ZANESVILLE CIRCUIT. 

1830. The Conference was held this j-ear in 
TJrbana. Some of the friends from Chilhcothe told 
me I would be sent there. I did not place much 
confidence in this till some of higher authority 
confirmed the rumor. The last morning of the 
Conference^, the appointments were to be read out, 
and I thought as my calling and election was sure, 
and as I had been run down in attending on the 
session, there was no necessity for my going to hear 
my appointment. Then again it occurred to my 
mind that this would be mean and selfish. I ouo-ht 
to go, and hear, and sympathize. I felt as calm as 
Summer evenings are, till the bishop came to Chil- 
licothe district; he read Chillicothe, but said 
nothing about A. M. L., and he kept silence about 
him till he had gone through that and another dis- 
trict or two, and I was looking out for Xew Vir- 
ginia, when it came out Zanesville. Some who had 
strongly assured me my name was down for Chilli- 
cothe, came to apologize. They said on the last 
evening some brother, who had found out where he 
was appointed, had broke traces; and this caused 



300 



THE CROSS. 



several removals on the chess-board, and threw me 
off more than one hundred miles. Here was a ship 
to pay, and no pitch hot. But we addressed our- 
selves to the journey. On arriving on the field of 
labor we stopped with a pious brother. While sit- 
ting by his blazing fire in the evening, he said, 

^'Brother, where have you been traveling?" 

''On the Miamis and the Mad Eiver." 

''0, yes, you have been down in the back partSj 
but the Conference has highly favored you now. 
They have sent you to the garden of Ohio." 

''"Which end of the State did you come in at, 
brother?" 

"Why, I came in at this end — why?" 

"Because if you had come through the Miami 
and Mad Eiver country, you would never have seen 
these hills." 

There was no parsonage on the circuit, no place 
to put my goods. In this dilemma we were laid 
under lasting obligations by Dr. E. D. Eoe, now of 
the Cincinnati Conference, and his amiable lady. 
They took care of us till, with the assistance of some 
of the brethren, we purchased a lot with a log- 
house on it in the town of Norwich. It was a tol- 
erably new building, and we thought it would 
answer for a kitchen when the circuit had time and 
means to improve it. 

One of my successors gave me an awful tongue- 
lashing about purchasing the property. I told him 
if he had hung as long by the eyelids as I had, he 



ZANESVILLE CIRCUIT. 



301 



would be glad to get in a manger, and it was his 
province to improve it. Dr. E.oe was, at that time, 
a merchant in very brisk business. I believe I 
licensed him to exhort. At first he did not attend 
much to this. When expostulated Avith, he said he 
was so busy from morning till night through the 
week, that he had but little time to study, and but 
little heart to hold meetings. I then told him to 
examine his case closely. If he was not clearly 
convinced that it was his duty to preach, to give it 
up, for he Avas in good business, and might get rich 
and do much good, and serve God acceptably; but 
if, on the other hand, he was confident in his call, 
then he should give up his business, however prom- 
ising it might be, and devote himself altogether to 
his work. Soon after I left the circuit he was an- 
nounced in the Minutes. 

This was the vear of the oro;anization of the Rad- 
ical Church in this part of the State. In reading 
the appointments of that Church, I was astounded 
to find that they had embraced several of our 
classes, and had hardly left me root or branch. In 
making out their numbers, they had counted up 
whole classes that had been returned to me. Still 
I thought" I would go to these classes and bid them 
^^good-by." But I found them generally steadfast 
and immovable, and glad to see their own preacher. 
The disaff'ected ministers had visited them several 
times, and because they had treated them hospita- 
bly, and did not quarrel with them, they thought 



302 



THE CEOSS. 



they might count the chickens before the eggs were 
hatched. However, there were some individuals at 
all these appointments who joined them, subse- 
quently. It is astonishing what frivolous excuses 
some made for leaving in this split. The work had 
begun before we left Urbana circuit. A very grave 
and sour-looking old member told brother Westlake 
before a large class, that he wished to withdraw; 
that he had no fault to find with bishops, or gov- 
ernment, or any such thing; but that our Disci- 
pline forbids us to sing songs which did not tend 
to the knowledge or love of God." 

Westlake rose up very solemnly and said, 

^^Well, brethren, this brother wants to withdraw 
from us because our Church does not approve of his 
singing 'dump de diddle' and 'congu mingo.' We 
will have to let him go." 

The old man laughed, and the class gave a sym- 
pathizing echo. 

One, after he had left us, was applied to for some 
quarterage. 

''What, do you want quarterage? This was what 
I left the old side for — money, money! I might as 
well have staid where I was." 

No doubt, many left for good reasons, as they 
supposed; a number left because they had lost their 
taste for class meetings, a sure sign of their deca- 
dence in grace. We could not see how any warm- 
hearted Christian could object to class meetings or 
love-feasts. We know it is said they are not Gospel 



ZANESVILLE CIRCUIT. 



303 



ordinances; neither are the Bible and missionary 
societies. The Lord has revealed the elements of 
salvation^ but has left much for Christian ingenuity 
to accomplish, suitable to different ages and coun- 
tries. In regard to our physical wellbeing, the 
Lord did not create houses and agricultural imple- 
ments; but he gave us forests and ore, and 
endowed man with powers of perpetual progress, 
so that he might have something to do. Man pro- 
gressed in invention and discovery — the bamboo 
tent, the log-cabin, the stately mansion rose up in 
succession; the rude blade, the reap-hook, the cradle, 
the mowing machine, corn-planter, etc.; so that the 
time may come when the once laborious work of the 
farmer may become a diversion of unbounded amuse- 
ment and delight. The Lord never intended man 
to be physically idle — why should we be spiritually 
lazy? We have a right to institute prudential 
means that are of evident utility, and in their spirit 
Scriptural. We then inquired, are our love-feasts 
and class meetings Scriptural in their features and 
ingredients? Let us analyze them. They, for they 
are twin means, are constituted of three Scriptural 
duties — prayer, praise, communion. Can any Chris- 
tian object to prayer? ^^Pray without ceasing." 
'^Ask and you shall receive." ^^Men ought always 
to pray." ^'Pray for one another." 

Can any object to praise? Praise God — sing 
praises unto God." ''Speak to one another in 
psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, making 



304 



THE CROSS. 



melody in your hearts." And who will object to 
the communion of saints? This exercise has been 
dear to all the distinguished saints of God in all 
ages» The Christian does not love to eat his morsel 
alone. In sister Churches now they have their 
^^conversational meetings," ^^conferences/' and ^4n- 
quiry meetings." These meetings, under different 
names, are constituted of the three simple ingredi- 
ents — 'prayer^ praise y Christian communion. It 
seems to be the prevailing opinion of the pious 
that this communion or interchange of religious 
sentiment will constitute a delightful exercise in 
heaven. We can not tell what will be the way of 
human interlocution in the new creation — whether 
by the present slow communication of speech, word 
by word, or whether we will intuitively understand 
the body of the communication in a flash. But it is 
highly reasonable that the most beloved theme of 
Christians on earth will enter deeply into their ce- 
lestial converse. And if this sweet cofnmunion will 
enter into the celestial enjoyments of the saints in 
light, how jealous of ourselves we should be, if we 
love not such gracious opportunities on earth! 

As our field had been especially cultivated by the 
Reformers — so called — we suffered a declension in 
number — quite a number left. 



DELAWARE CIECUIT. 



305 



XXIII. 

DELAWARE CIRCUIT. 

1831-32. My first year on this circuit was in 
connection with brother Samuel Shaw, a rather 
eccentric but very upright man. It was a success- 
ful year, and we had a good time. The next year, 
brother David Cadwallader was m.y colleague on 
the same circuit. He was, in my opinion, the most 
simple-hearted, holy man ever connected with the 
Ohio Conference in my day. When he first came 
to this country from Wales, he settled down among 
some of his own countrymen, some of whom he had 
known on the other side of the Atlantic. He had 
not been lono; amono; them before he heard some of 
them shout in their meetings. He had never heard 
the like before, and he was filled with indignation. 
He reproved them sharply, telling them that God 
was a God of order, and not of confusion. He was 
afraid that the Methodism, which he loved so 
ardently on the other side of the water, was gradu- 
ally depreciating into fanaticism. After a while, he 
heard some who were of undoubted piety and sound 
minds indulging in the same practice. This led 
him to doubt whether he might not be wrong. He 
passed through a season of deep affliction, strong 



306 THE CEOSS, 

cries, and tears on this very account; and he im- 
plored the Lord, if he was wrong in opposing his 
brethren, that he would manifest it to him in some 
way. On one occasion a resistless gale of love 
swept over his soul, and before he knew what he 
was doing, he was shouting at the top of his voice. 
This convinced him it was no sin; but, as if to 
keep him convinced, he was made to shout on all 
interesting religious occasions ever after. 

On one occasion he had received at Conference an 
appointment to a Welsh mission in one of the East- 
ern States. Subsequently he fell into doubt whether 
it was in the order of Providence. He was return- 
ing from Conference, in company with several young 
ministers — but he was in poor company. They were 
elated with the prospects opening before them, and 
indulged in innocent mirth. He lagged behind, in 
agonizing prayer, under a thick cloud. In the even- 
ing they put up at a village tavern. The house was 
crowded with men who were employed in cutting 
the canal. The preachers slept in a long, upper 
room, which was well occupied. Under the circum- 
stances they were very restless, and indulged some 
in talk. Cadwallader still prayed. About midnight 
one of the brethren drew the curtain of a window, 
and, looking out on the bright moonlight, said, 

Surely, it is day." At that moment Cadwallader 
got supremely blessed, and he sprang on the floor, 
and exclaimed, ^^Yes, glory to God, it is day! day- 
light through all my soul !" And he shouted on, 



BELAWAEE CIECUIT. 



307 



without limitation. A man and liis wife^ who slept 
in one corner, arose and gathered on their clothes, 
and the man cried out, ^'Brethren, pray for us. 
Some time ago I came to work on the canal. A 
pious young man, a member of my class, came with 
me. When he had worked a little while, he said he 
would go home again, because, if he staid here, he 
would certainly lose his soul. I laughed at him, 
and I staid — and now all m.y religion is clean gone. 
0, pray for us!" The brethren prayed and sung. 
Cadwallader started down stairs, shouting. The 
bar-room floor was covered Avith Irish laborers, 
packed close like a box of smoked herrings. They 
rose in great fright, and scattered every-where; the 
family came pouring down, and two young ladies 
were converted. There was no more sleeping that 
night. Cadwallader's horse was brought out last, 
and the young brethren pushed on. On their way, 
they began to discuss their bills, thinking they 
were unusually high; and they turned round, and 
said, Brother Cad., what did that old tavern-keeper 
charge you?" With an innocent smile, he said, 
''Just nothing at all. He said he Avould not charge 
such a man as I was, and he invited me to call and 
see him again." As innocent as my colleague was, 
he would sometimes join with the brethren in re- 
marking on my horsemanship. In the Spring of 
the year, he came home one day in a wretched 
plight. We inquired what was the matter. He 
said, in coming over Crawford's plains, he sa^v a 



308 



THE CKOSS. 



most beautiful plat of young grass not far from the 
road; and it looked so smooth, and inviting, he 
thought he would ride over it ; but his horse had 
hardly got his length on it, before both horse and 
rider were almost swallowed up in it; but he scuf- 
fled out, with the loss of his hat. I told him he 
had often remarked on my riding; but I had passed 
that same beautiful oasis, and was tempted to ride 
over it; but, seeing that the cattle grazed every- 
w^here but on that strip of tender grass, I thought 
if they were dubious I might well beware— so I 
kept the homely road. ^^Well, brother, I will say 
no more about your riding. I saw the cattle, too, 
but did not follow out the argument." Our circuit 
took in three county seats — Delaware, Marion, and 
Bucyrus — embracing the plains of Crawford, almost 
to the Wyandott reservation. The snow covered 
the ground for nearly three months. In my little 
jumper I sailed over the undulating surface, and 
almost imagined I was at sea again. We had a 
blessed revival — almost universal — -taking in up- 
ward of four hundred members; so that the circuit 
had to be divided for the next year. The revival 
at Bucyrus was great. We could not then hold 
what we now call protracted meetings. We would 
have to leave the work, to fill other appointments, 
in charge of rCsSponsible brethren, who would carry 
on a prayer meeting till we returned. Having thus 
left Bucyrus one Sabbath evening, a crowded con- 
gregation came out to prayer meeting. Just before 



DELAWAEE CIRCUIT. 



309 



the time to begin, a preacher came in, with a pair 
of saddle-bags on his arm, ascended the pulpit, and 
without invitation or license, sung, prayed, and 
preached — preached bitterly against the Avhole econ- 
omy of Methodism, and took peculiar pains to warn 
seekers of religion to keep aloof from our tyrannical 
institution. He concluded by saying some would 
wish to know who he was. He was an old Method- 
ist preacher, and knew what he had stated Avas 
correct, and that he had been acquainted with their 
preacher in charge for many years. He also added 
that he was a missionary to the Wyandott Indians, 
whither he was going. When we came back, we 
found the old members indignant at the deception. 
The young members, and those who were thinking 
of joining, were anxious to know hoAV far his decla- 
rations were correct; and I had to travel over 
ground which I had fondly hoped it would not be 
necessary to travel over in that latitude, and at 
that late day. I was anxious to find out Avho he 
was, for he told no one his name. But, in describ- 
ing his personality, they mentioned one physical de- 
fect, that led me to suppose he was one of the awful 
fathers of Radicalism. This supposition was after- 
v/ard found to be correct. But Ave survived the blow. 

The Church of Christ is a working Church, and 
there are few in it Avho can not do some good. 
There Avas, in Bucyrus, a \-ery pious member, but 
he had no education. As he stood at the altar, 
looking at the members engaged in the Avork, he 



310 



THE CROSS. 



thouglit, in himself; can I do nothing in this good 
work? He saw a young man who was rather de- 
riding the work. He said something seemed to say, 

Go and talk with that young m-an/' Then he 
thought again, that young man knows more than I 
do; he is learned. Still something seemed to say. 

Go, go!'' He approached him — took his hand — 
his soul was too big for utterance — he burst into 
tears — and the tall and proud young man fell pros- 
trate among the mourners. 

Brother Oadwallader has passed into the heavens. 
I know not whether any marble covers his remains ; 
but I believe that he was, in God's sight, a great 
man. I do not say he was the most useful man 
among us. Some men may be very useful — yes, a 
necessity of the Church — and yet not be the most 
sanctified. Peter was one of the most useful of 
Christ's disciples — he was bold, daring, and a real 
business man. Yet the compliment which our Lord 
paid to Nathaniel was the most that was said of 
him in all the history of the Gospel, but it speaks 
volum.es: Behold an Israelite, indeed, in whom 
there is no guile !" 

Brother Bigelow was our presiding elder, and 
was deservedly popular. His oratory consisted 
principally in earnestness of spirit combined with 
physical energy. His introduction would be gener- 
ally about thirty minutes long. It was a kind of 
fireside talk, and sometimes tiresome, and some of 
his hearers would begin to feel fearful forebodings 



DELAWARE 



CIRCUIT. 



311 



about the lengtli of his sermon. When he had 
fairly entered upon his subject, he became very en- 
tertainins; for about an hour. Then he would 
rise — rise— rise, higher and higher, for another 
hour, till soul and body would seem to be rapt 
in a mierhty conflict of emulation. It would be 
useless to describe his gestures; they were of all 
kinds, and indiscriminately applied. AYhen the 
tempest culminated it came down on the congrega- 
tion with a mighty shout, leaving a shower of tears, 
and all the cono:reo:ation on their feet. They were 
not raised to their feet altogether by the power of 
his eloquence, as some of his friends have said; but 
while the minds of the congregation were all deeply 
absorbed by the preacher's eloquence, tired nature 
would seek relief in a change of posture, and our 
poor bodies which had been cramped up for three 
hours, till almost entirely benumbed, Avould, despite 
all human volition, rise on their feet. 

No man could imitate Russel Bigelow for want 
of physical endurance, and he could not have com- 
manded this for any length of time were it not he 
was endowed Avith an extraordinary appetite and 
digestive power which seldom fall to the lot of man. 
It would have proved fatal to any common preacher 
to have competed with him in eating — pound for 
pound — in a very little time. We do not mean 
that he was gluttonous. His constitution and ex- 
cessive labors imperiously called for it, and what 
would have been intemperate eating in another^ 



312 



THE CEOSS. 



was in him a necessary supply and no more. Truly 
the young preachers on the district did — whether 
unconsciously or not — imitate him in some things; 
his voicC; his provincialisms, his exuberant and in- 
expressive gestures; but these were only the hinder 
part of the orator. They would fag out in one 
hour in the wake of his fervor. Brother Bigelow 
was a humble man, considering his business tact 
and official duties; and I believe he desired to be 
more so, and labored to habituate himself to a lowly 
carriage. He would frequently say to the young 
preachers, You see, brethren, I make free to speak 
of your faults and advise you; but this is the com- 
mon duty of Christians, If you see any thing 
wrong in me, tell me of it.'' He once said. 

Brother L., if you see any thing wrong in me, 
tell me of it, and I will try to mend." 

''"Well, brother B., there is one thing* in you 
which is wrong in my opinion, and I think it is 
wrong in the sight of the Lord, and that is your 
treatment of your horse. You ride him furiously 
in all seasons, and he has always a sore on his back 
as big as my fist; you throw a piece of rag-carpet 
on it, and you will go as far as fifteen or twenty 
miles as fast as the animal can move; you then de- 
liver him over to any body when you stop. The 
Bible says a righteous man is merciful to his beast. 
You ride so much like Jehu, that when the young 
preachers wish to ride fast, they will whip up their 
horses, and say, 'Come, let us Hussel it.' " 



DELAWAEE CIRCUIT. 



313 



While I was delivering my lecture, I vsaw him 
screw up one corner of his mouth, and when I was 
done he smiled, and seemed to regard it as one 
of the most trifling reproofs that had ever been 
uttered. The business he was on — preaching the 
Gospel — he thought overtopped the horse and 
every thing else. The king's business required 
haste. 

Bigelow was scrupulously exact in regard to 
every point of Discipline, great or small. He met 
me once on the plains, and broke loose upon me, 
because he had heard that I had admitted a certain 
lady to love-feast. 

"Brother B., you know that she is the wife of 
one of our leaders, and that she is very pious, 
although not of our Church. No woman on the 
circuit treats the preachers better. She has been 
particularly kind in nursing you when you were 
sick. "Would you have received her husband, and 
driven her from the door?'' 

"Yes, I would have kept her out." 

"I do not believe Mr. Wesley ever intended no 
exceptions. Indeed, I read otherwise in his Journal. 
Any how, the Methodist Discipline or any other 
power on earth shall not compel me to act in an 
unchristian or brutal manner." 

If brother Bigelow had lived till now he would 
be borne down by the progress of this generation, 
for he would never yield a piece of old-fashioned 
Methodism as big as his thumb nail. He held the 



314 



THE CROSS. 



most orderly camp meetings ever seen in Ohio; and 
he possessed the courage necessary to do it. At our 
camp meeting, a citizen of Marion took his seat 
among the ladies. Our elder very politely observed 
that the gentleman perhaps was not present when 
the rules were read. He then mildly gave the 
reasons for the rule, and said he hoped he would 
oblige us by sitting on the other side. The man's 
face turned red with anger, but he kept his seat. 
The elder added he had hoped that a mild request 
would be complied with by any gentleman, but he 
had force sufficient to remove him, and that should 
be attended to before proceeding to any other busi- 
ness. Seeing he was preparing for this move, the 
man went off very angry, declaring he would whip 
B. if he ever saw him in Marion. When our camp 
meeting broke, the brethren of Marion strongly 
urged Bigelow to take a by-road; but he laughed 
and said he had determined to go back on the usual 
road. As he passed by the man's shop, he was 
hailed and invited to come in. Although he had 
been warned that he was a notorious bully, and 
always was equal to his threatenings, yet he an- 
swered, ^'Certainly." He dismounted and went in. 
The bully said, ^^You have had your time, and now 
I have mine. I am determined to thrash you, and 
I will do it." B. observed that he would of course 
be manly enough to give his reasons and a chance 
for explanation. He ran over his principal griev- 
ance, and B. asked him if he did not have his rules 



DELAWARE CIKCUIT. 



315 



to govern his family and sliop, and if any one came 
in to bear down his authority if he would be such 
a coward as to suffer it. He said he would not; 
and taking this as his platform^ he continued to 
talk till the lion was pacified. They shook hands, 
and the preacher was invited to call again. In one 
word, Bigelow vras one of the most useful ministers 
in our Western country. The people would crowd 
from every point of our circuit, and many points on 
the neighboring circuits^ to hear him at our quarterly 
meetings. We traveled under him many years, and 
he lodged with us as often as he could. 

I exercised the strictest discipline upon this cir- 
cuit, catechising the classes on the General Eules. 
One member would be examined on one rule, and 
one on another, and a short exhortation addressed 
to the rest on the rules under consideration; but all 
were examined simply and singularly on the rule 
regarding spirituous liquor. At the onset a sister in 
one class flew into a passion, and said she held it to 
be her privilege to drink when she pleased, and 
what she pleased. ^'Well, sister, the rules provide 
that we must bear, for a season, with those who 
break them. This day four weeks we will be 
round, if the Lord permit, and in the mean time I 
will pray for you every day. I beseech you to do 
the same, understanding that, 4f you repent not/ 
we will be compelled to drop you." At another class 
we found a brother who had once been a Universal- 
ist, and was high-spirited by nature, but was pious 



316 



THE CROSS. 



and intelligent. He rose up against the rule. We 
gave him the same advice; but I feared he would 
prove a hard case. At the extremity of the circuit 
I found another Amazon inebriate or user of liquor 
as a beverage. She flew into high opposition to the 
rule ■ on drinking, and also that on private prayer. 
When I got to the capital of the circuit, I antici- 
pated trouble. There was a venerable man who 
was leader, exhorter, and steward, who used liquor 
habitually, and especially in harvest and log-rolling. 
He had told me that before he embraced religion he 
could not drink enough to intoxicate him. He used 
to take especial delight in getting his companions to- 
gether and drinking with them, glass for glass, till 
he had them all down — dead drunk — and then he 
would stand over them and laugh. On one occasion, 
after drinking his usual portion through the day, he 
bet a man five dollars that he could drink a quart 
of brandy, measured from the pipe, without taking 
it from his mouth. He clapped the measure to his 
lips and tossed it off at one draught. He said in 
one moment he was, as it were, all on fire, inside 
and out. Death seemed to clasp him, and hell opened 
before him. In the next moment his stomach re- 
volted, and he threw it all up. He would tell this 
with tears of gratitude; for he said if it had not 
been for this instantaneous discharge he would have 
dropped quickly into hell. He still used spirits, 
and it was publicly known. To deal with others, 
and pass by him, would have been wicked partiality. 



DELAWARE CIECUIT. 



317 



So I put the same question to him^ and he gave an 
unfavorable answer. 

On the next round, when we met in class the 
first delinquent, she rose up, all subdued, and said 
she had taken the advice given her; that she found 
herself well-nigh gone, and had requested the class 
to appoint a day of fasting and prayer. This they 
did. Her soul was recovered out of the snare, and 
there was a revival in the class. When I came to 
the member who had been a Universalist, to my sur- 
prise, he said he had thought the matter over, and 
found that liquor did him no good, and he had de- 
termined to keep all our good rules. The woman, 
who said she was opposed to miy examining her 
on family prayer and drinking, was also cured. 
She said, after she had so misbehaved in class, 
she went home, and set about getting dinner. Her 
husband went to his plow. When she had set the 
table she went out and called her husband to din- 
ner. He turned round, and said, ^' My dear, you 
gave me enough in class for breakfast, dinner, and 
supper;" and he drove on. This reached her heart; 
she felt she had offended her pious husband; she 
had offended the preacher; but, v/hat was more 
than all, she had offended the Lord. She went to 
her closet and to her knees, and was noAV as humble 
as a lamb. Now remained my old rich friend, one 
who had been particularly kind to me. But I de- 
termined to know no one according to the flesh ; for 
my labor was not fruitless. I had hard work here. 



318 



THE CHOSS. 



I appealed to liim as a steward who was appointed 
to see that I did my duty. I told him how other 
members had renounced liquor^ and the good that 
followed; and assured him that I w^ould be driven to 
the painful necessity of bringing him to trial if he 
did not comply. I got his consent within about 
five minutes before the time for preaching — and my 
whole circuit was cleansed of this iniquity, and all 
the rules observed. 

In the first years of my itinerancy, I always 
found that a strict adherence to Discipline always 
revived the Church. No man can administer it 
now, in all points^ without being regarded as a 
tyrant, a bloody Bishop Bonner. Then it is reported 
he is not acceptable to the people; and then the very 
power that has pledged him, when entering into holy 
orders, to administer the Discipline^' with a firm 
but mild hand," has to put him where they can get 
him. Now, if w^e have come to the day when all 
the obsolete requirements of the Discipline can not 
be administered, the General Conference ought to 
do them away, so that the new ministers ought not 
to be required to promise to do what the old men 
know they can not do. If the rule on class meet- 
ings should be enforced now, as in ancient days, it 
would cut off" one-third of our membership and dis- 
afi'ect another. We know tha.t there are some ex- 
ceptions. For this cause we have of late years 
sought to be excused from the charge. 



MOUNT VEKNON CIECUIT. 



319 



XXIV. 

MOUNT VERNON CIRCUIT. 

1833-34. William Westlake rode with me on 
this circuit the first year, and Charles Lovell the 
last. When we arrived at Mount Vernon, there 
was great excitement about the cholera, which was 
reported to be advancing in different directions. 
While preaching in a crowded school-house, on 
Sunday evening, it was announced in the congrega- 
tion, that one of the doctors, who had been out to 
attend a case of the cholera, had returned home in 
the last stage of the disease. This caused almost a 
general stampede. We had no place to accommo- 
date our congregation here till our meeting-house 
was finished. 

We had on our plan ^^Martinsburg;" a,nd we 
were a little puzzled, in seeing no society and no 
official names in connection. I could get but little 
information in regard to the road, and got out of 
the way. About two o'clock I entered the town, 
and inquired of the first man seen, if there were 
any Methodists living in the place. After consid- 
erable study, he said there was not one ; but, point- 
ino; to a certain house, he said there was an old 
woman living there w^ho might lean that way. I 



320 



THE CROSS. 



entered the house, and asked if she knew of any 
Methodists living in Martinsburg. 

^^Laws! no, sir. There were some here once; 
but they have moved, died, or backslidden. There 
is not one here now." 

I sat a little while, hoping she would ask me to 
put up my horse, and take a bite myself; but this 
she did not think of. After a while she said, 

^^I can tell you one thing for your comfort; if 
you are a Methodist preacher, as I suppose, the 
people here, generally, love to hear a Methodist 
minister better than any other." 

'^Well, madam, can you tell me of any Method- 
ists who live within a short distance of this place?" 

^'Yes, I have a son who is the leader of a class 
about three miles oflp." 

She gave me directions, and I got to her son's in 
the evening — man and horse sufficiently tired and 
hungry. While we were sitting around the table, 
there came a messenger, express from town, saying, 
if the ministers would give them regular preaching, 
two of the merchants and a cabinet-maker would 
pledge themselves to keep them and their horses. 

^^Then tell them we will begin with them to- 
morrow evening by early candle-lighting." 

When I went, I found that the Presbyterians 
were holding a sacramental meeting. I told my 
friends that I had no knowledge of that, and was 
ready to postpone. They said this would make no 
material difference, as we could get a large school- 



0 U N T VERNON CIRCUIT. 



321 



house crowded witli persons who would not be likely 
to attend the other meeting. We faced a crowded 
congregation at nighty and felt that we had struck 
the right vein. The work of God revived, gradu- 
ally, but gloriously; and before we left the circuit, 
ninety persons, embracing the bone and sinew of 
the village, embraced religion. The two merchants 
and the cabinet-maker were converted, and that 
brightly. At one meeting a couple of brethren 
went to brother M'Claughlin, and asked him if he 
would not join the mourners at the altar. He said, 
^'Friends, I would, but can not. I am unstrung in 
all my limbs." They raised him, and brought him 
up. At a subsequent meeting he was converted, 
and went home shouting through the street. The 
other merchant was a brother-in-law to the Presby- 
terian minister. His people tried hard to keep him 
from joining us. He told them he could not in- 
dorse their doctrine, and expressly referred to its 
bearino: on infants. One of the elders utterlv de- 
nied that it had any such bearing, and he looked to 
the minister for confirmation; but the preacher was 
silent. Then the gentleman opened his library, 
took out a volume, and read the quotation he had 
made. The elder's look of astonishment showed 
that his contradiction was entirely innocent. The 
brother told them he would not be hasty. He 
wished to examine all the ground before taking an- 
other step. He went eastward for goods, purchased 
a Methodist Discipline and some other works, and 



322 



THE CEOSS. 



read them on his way home, like the Ethiopian, and 
joined our Church. The brethren built a handsome 
meeting-house, plastered it in the midst of Winter, 
keeping their stoves in full blast night and day. 

Before I left them they gave me one of the most 
costly coats I ever wore, even in the days of my 
brightest prosperity; and it was made in a finished 
style by a tailor who was expelled from the Church. 
Without self-flattery, this was owing to my just 
manner of administration. I always endeavored to 
secure to the defendant every facility in his defense, 
and that even when I had prescience enough to 
know he would he expelled. In doing this I have 
had sometimes to try the patience of an indignant 
committee. They would think certain round-about 
statements were entirely irrelevant in the defense. 
I thought so myself, but could always bear with a 
dying man, and let him have a fair swing. So the 
expelled seldom abused me. I once had to pro- 
nounce a brother expelled, and from the excitable 
disposition of himself and wife, I expected no mercy. 
Still, God blessed them with an heir in a few weeks, 
and they named him A. M. L. I always thought 
it a most solemn thing to cut off a soul from the 
congregation of the Lord, for if we do it justly ^ 
mind ye, it will be done in heaven. 

There was an appointment a few miles from Mar- 
tinsburg, up a rocky run. Ifc was one of your old, 
staid societies, in number truly apostolic. If one 
member died or removed, another would move in 



MOUNT VEENON CIRCUIT. 



323 



and make up the round dozen. When I went there, 
some said, 

'^Brother L., we have heard of revivals, and 
sometimes not far from us, but we have never had 
one in this society. Can you tell us what to do in 
order to a revival?" 

'^Brethren, do you truly desire a revival, and 
pray for it?" 

''"We always pray for it.'* 

"Have you ever added fasting to prayer?" 

''No, we never thought of that." 

"Well, try it; but don't try it till you hold a 
conference on the subject, and get the consent of 
every member; then appoint a day, leave off all 
work, come together, and pray for a revival." 

The brethren did so, and the Lord heard on 
earth, and answered from heaven. They had a 
precious work. Our appointments were in the 
evening. The house was crowded, and sometimes 
the porch and part of the yard, although the 
weather was disagreeable. The Campbellites in- 
fested this region, and withstood us greatly. When 
a member would come out of the house they would 
beset him in this way: 

"Why are you always dunning the Lord? Sup- 
pose you owed me a few dollars, and I should be 
always dunning you for them, would you not de- 
spise me? But you dun the Lord in the morning, 
at noon, and then all night. You must know it is 
displeasing to him." 



324 



THE CKOSS. 



Methodist. ^^I pray to God because I am needy, 
and none but him can help me. Do you not pray 
to God in time of need?" 

Campbellite. ^^1 allow a man may get into a 
strait^ once or twice in his life, when he may pray; 
but what's the use of always dunning?" 

The Campbellites had so incessantly preached im- 
mersion, as to influence the neighborhood on that 
point, so our converts all wished to be baptized by 
immersion. "We gave out an appointment to attend 
to that matter. In the mean time it turned unusu- 
ally cold, and the run was partially frozen. The 
class -leader met me on the road, and said, 

'^Brother L., will you baptize our new members 
to-day?" 

'^Certainly, if they wish it. Did I not set apart 
this day to that purpose?" 

^^You did; but the Campbellites have been troub- 
ling our new members, and asking them if they are 
so simple as to suppose that a Methodist preacher 
would put his foot into water such weather as this." 

''Let them mind their own business." 

When we marched down to the water, the whole 
country crowded the banks. I first walked in alone, 
sounding every depth and shoal with my staff. As 
I descended into the water and ice, it seemed as if 
my legs were cut off; but I walked about with a 
countenance as serene as a basket of chips, stopped 
and compared places, and splashed the water like a 
canvas-backed duck. This was no hypocrisy. I felt 



I 



MOUNT VEKNOX CIRCUIT. 



325 



joyful in the prospect of putting the mark of the 
covenant on our young converts^ by whatever mode. 
I then took the candidates in one by one^ and felt 
the bottom with every one of them, and the Camp- 
bellites acknowledo-ed it was done secunrlum o.rtem. 
But this was the beginning. As fast as they came 
in they wished to be immersed. We made only one 
blunder — that was with a large African. Before 
going in he said he wanted to be baptized like the 
colored people in old Virginia — that was to tie his 
handkerchief around his head, so as to leave a tail 
for the preacher to take hold of. I told him I was 
raised in old Virginia, and had seen that operation 
often, but he had better let me do my own way, 
assuring him I had never failed; but he insisted on 
his own way, and he tied his cotton handkerchief 
around his head; but the misfortune was he had 
little or no forehead. His head appeared to be as 
flat as a turnip. When I undertook to hiy him 
down he threw his head back, and the handkerchief 
slipped off. There was considerable floundering, but 
I put him under. He seemed somewhat mortified 
that his chosen mode did not take. 

William Westlake had a sprinkle of eccentricity. 
At a distant point of his circuit his host told him a 
Campbellite was going to preach at night in the 
school-house, and that it was a new occurrence. 
He asked him if he would not go. Westlake said 
he believed he would. When they got there, the 
house was so crowded they barely got inside. 



326 



THE CEOSS. 



The preacher, in illustrating his system, used 
much bargain and trade" figures. He said when 
men got title-bonds for any thing they felt legally 
safe, knowing that, at the time and place specified, 
they would certainly receive the consideration. So 
it was in salvation. Baptism was God's title-bond 
of eternal life given to the sinner. All who would 
receive this would be certain of salvation. This 
was the backbone of his discourse. When he was 
done preaching he said if there were any in the con- 
gregation who had not understood his doctrine — 
new to the most of them — he was willing to answer 
any questions which might be asked. They pro- 
fessed to be teachers rather than preachers. 

Westlake, '^I would not mind asking you a 
question or two, sir, if I could be simply answered 
without any controversy.'' 

Preacher. Controversy, indeed! We wish to 
teach in the most simple manner, and are willing to 
answer all objections in meekness and love." 

Westlake. ^^If I did not misunderstand you, sir, 
you hold that immersion is a title-bond to eternal 
life, and he who is immersed has a right to heaven?" 

Preacher, Exactly, you understand me right; 
and pray, what do you think of it?" 

Westlake. Why, it drummed up curious thoughts 
in my mind. I thought that if your doctrine is true, 
there must be many hogs in heaven." 

Preacher. ^'What do you mean, sir?" 

Westlake. When our Lord cast a legion of devils 



MOUNT 



VEENON CIRCUIT. 



327 



out of one who was possessed, they went into a 
great herd of swine, and they ran violently down a 
steep place into the sea and were immersed. They 
received your title-bond and a legion of devils with 
them. Good-night, sir." 

The gravest in the congregation could not restrain 
themselves. 

Preacher. ^^Stop, sir — 0, don't go — now see that, 
he is off. I do hate a man who will not wait for 
explanations." 

Westlake. (Putting his head into the doorway.) 
'^You proposed, simply, questions and answers, 
without controversy. Good-night. " 

That Campbellite sermon, in that neighborhood, 
Vv^as — solus. Six days' controversy could not have 
effected as much. 

Charles E. Lovell v/as in his first itinerant year. 
He was a young man of pleasing appearance, tal- 
ented, and popular. When I had an interview with 
him last year, at Conference, and listened to the melt- 
ing recital of his loss, in the death of his amiable 
daughter — and when I looked up, and saw how 
care and anxiety had begun to sprinkle his locks — 
and when my mind went back to the day when he, 
and I might say his bride, for they were lately 
married, lived together with us, blithe, cheerful, 
and religiously happy — I said, in the depth of my 
heart, 

" What trials have we seen ! 
What conflicts have we passed!" 



328 



THE CROSS. 



May his last days be his best days, and may he 
get safely home, bringing his sheaves with him ! 

Brother Christie was our presiding elder, and his 
fame spread all through that region and the country 
round about, drawing great congregations from all 
parts and all denominations. He always put up 
with us when he could; and I always blacked his 
boots — not to curry favor, for I never eat post-hay 
for any man, but because I loved him. When I 
went to assist him with a big meeting, at his home, 
he would clean my shoes in spite of all my scuffling. 
He was determined the sailor should not outdo him 
in hospitality. I was acquainted with his wife from 
her girlhood. We may have occasion to speak of 
Christie again; but, lest it might be forgotten, I 
will say he was an extraordinary man. He had an 
uncommon memory. He could read one of Watson's 
sermons, and get up and preach it much better, as 
I thought, than the author ever did. He was not 
given to this, for he had an energy and power in 
himself sufficient for all cases, elaborate or extem- 
poraneous. He beat Bigelow on the Canadian ques- 
tion — -not only confuting the arguments he had 
brought, but continued on, in anticipation, to an- 
swer every one that he might possibly bring, till he 
left his opponent high and dry at flood-tide; and, 
like the ass between two stacks of hay, we knew 
not which to sympathize with. 



UNION CIBCUIT. 



329 



XXV. 



UNION AND MADISONVILLE CIRCUITS. 

1835. On the Union circuity embracing Xenia, I 
had with me Alexander Morrow and Stephen Hol- 
land. Morrow was a very correct speaker, and a 
good sermonizer, justly esteemed. Holland was 
above mediocrity, and although not possessing the 
advantages of a liberal education, this want could 
seldom be detected by a stranger. He was natu- 
rally impulsive, a.nd graciously filled with the 
blessed Spirit, and with power. Affectionate in his 
intercourse, he could not be otherwise than popular. 
This was a six-weeks' circuit — and we humbly think 
there can not be an arrangement more unfortunate. 
The people could hardly get acquainted with their 
preachers. "When the quarterly meeting took a 
preacher from a certain appointment, that appoint- 
ment would not have his services for three months. 
If the preacher should be taken from the same ap- 
pointment by every quarterly meeting, then he 
would not be at that appointment the whole year. 
But this was not suffered to happen. This arrange- 
ment gave much trouble to the preacher in charge, 
and he had to do much by delegation to his col- 



330 



THE CROSS. 



leagues. Nevertheless, we had some good times^ 
and quite a revival at Centerville. 

There had been a general revival the two preced- 
ing years, under Latta and Laws, and this was 
necessarily a year of pruning and confirmation. 
The reader will recollect that I started from Xenia. 
It was there, while a local preacher, that I had the 
honor of drawing up the heading of the first mis- 
sionary subscription that was started in the West — 
and, for aught I know, in the Union— that is, in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was when the 
Wyandott mission was yet in the hands of the local 
ministers. Subscriptions had been raised in the 
congregations; but now the missionary friends be- 
gan to assume the form of a society — every sub- 
scriber a member. 

We were very well situated on the Union circuit, 
surrounded by old, tried friends — friends who, when 
they recommended me to the Conference, told the 
elder they did not recommend to others one whom 
they V70uld be unwilling to receive themselves. 

But at the last quarterly meeting a circumstance 
occurred, which led to my voluntary removal. The 
elder, brother Eaper, told me his manner of con- 
ducting the last quarterly meeting in the year. 
He said, among other things, he examined the stew- 
ards in regard to the performance of their duties, 
one by one. I begged he would not do this, as I 
had never unto that day known it to be done, and 
as there was no doubt about our getting our quar- 



UNION CIECUIT. 



331 



terage, it seemed unnecessary; that our stewards 

were like tlie stewards on all other circuits — some 
very faithful, and some who did not concern them- 
selves with their ofBce at all. But if he inquired 
about each man, as a Christian I would have to tell 
the truth, and that, in the very nature of things, 
would raise a smoke, as it always does. But he 
held me to it. Some of the stewards I praised 
highly — they were worthy; but of others I had to 
say that they never came to quarterly conference 
only when it came to them. They never spoke of 
financial matters even in their own classes; and 
they never entered the parsonage to inquire whether 
we were dead or alive. This raised a warm con- 
versation, for it was necessarily personal. Some 
said brother L. should have his quarterage if no 
other man had. This cut me, as I was one whose 
standing rule Avas never to utter a word about the 
quarterage. I observed that there was no anxiety 
about that. My motive was altogether moniL The 
elder had pointedly asked me if such a brother per- 
formed all the duties of a steward. The brother 
himself knew that he had not. His colleagues 
knew that he had not. His own class knew that 
he had not. The Lord knew that he had not; and 
how could I, a professed minister, lie, and say that 
he had? I had never been asked the question be- 
fore, and tried to stave it off, and was oblio:ed to 
answer as I did. After quarterly conference I told 
the elder he must move me. He thouo;ht there was 



332 



THE CKOSS. 



no occasion. He consulted with the brethren, and 
assured me I was not yet done over. This I be- 
lieve, for the brethren who were most nettled were 
afterward remarkably kind. But still I held to my 
request, and it was granted. 

We might say a great deal in praise of this cir- 
cuit, but it is unnecessary, because it is so well 
known by many of our ministers. Xenia always 
seemed like my home, and while that generation 
lasted, I never stopped there without being sur- 
rounded and taken by storm. It was like Auburn — 
^4oveliest village of the plain." 

MADISONVILLE. 

, 1836. We rode this circuit in 1836 and 1837, 
having traveled it before while connected with the 
Miami circuit. The first year we labored with 
brother Cheney, and the second, with brother Par- 
ish. They were both very pious and pleasant. We 
had some very encouraging meetings, and the soci- 
eties were lively. 

1856. As it is my design to keep every appoint- 
ment under one heading, I will add that I rode the 
circuit again in 1856 and 1857. So I labored five 
years on this charge, and from time to time re- 
newed my acquaintance with members that I had 
taken in — ^long time ago. Having endured thus 
far, we hope they will continue till eternal life. I 
feel thankful to the brethren there that they bore 
so long with me, and especially for the kind recep- 



MADISON VILLE. 



333 



tion they gave me on my last coming. The parson- 
age being already occupied by my colleague^ brother 
Glasscock^ who labored on the circuit the previous 
year, I settled in Columbia, a beautiful village on 
the bank of the Ohio. 

On my second year we had an extraordinary wet 
season in the Fall, and mud in abundance. On one 
of the most dreary and showery evenings of that 
season, about nightfall, the parsonage was stormed 
at all available points by horse and foot, ladies and 
gentlemen, who poured down upon us a profusion 
of the necessaries and comforts of this life. Colonel 
Holm^es, on the part of the company, made a humor- 
ous but chaste speech, observing that he hoped the 
visit would be more grateful to me, when he assured 
me that it was not on account of any murmuring 
or complaining on the part of the preacher or his 
family, for no such thing had been heard. Neither 
was it because they had heard of any pressing want, 
but it was simply as an expression of their good 
feeling toward us. We might also see that it was 
not simply a Church matter, but the citizens gen- 
erally had joined in the visitation, and if the night 
had been clear, the yard, instead of the house, would 
have been full, and he had heard no one in or out 
of the Church object. This is only an outline of his 
speech, and before he was done I was pretty much 
used up. I have been accustomed to make speeches 
in and out of the pulpit, and if any one should 
rouse my anger, I suppose I could talk some; but 



334 



THE CROSS* 



when one knocks out the bung of gratitude I 'm 
'^done over." I made some kind of reply, but it 
was very unworthy of the occasion. The doctor 
presented Mrs. Lorrain with some coffee, under the 
notion of a specific medicine, and began to give a 
verbal recipe, if we might so speak, and directions 
how to mix and prepare it. I saw this gave her 
considerable diversion, and I said, Doctor, you 
need not be very precise, she can mix that medi- 
cine better than any one in this community. 
She is famous in that decoction throughout the 
Conference." 

I can not express my affection for the brethren 
of this circuit, with many of whom^ I have taken 
sweet counsel for so many years. The principal 
strength of the Church in Columbia was the female 
members. They were well qualified by gifts and 
grace, and although duly modest in all social rela- 
tions, yet they were 

"Bold to take up, firm to sustain 
The consecrated cross." 

Brother Murphy rode with me during the last 
year on this circuit. It pleased Grod to take away 
the wife of his youth in the midst of the year. I 
preached the funeral sermon, and must say that I 
have seldom seen a congregation sympathize so 
deeply with the bereaved. She was an extraordi- 
nary good woman, and was fully prepared for her 
great change. She lies in the same graveyard with 



MADISONVILLE. 



335 



my own mother, who died in the same parsonage 
in 1837. 

In this circuit live some of our most choice mem- 
bers: Langdon, of Columbia^ Green, of Carthage, 
Buckingham^ of Miamisville, and — ; but here I must 
stop, or give a list of worthies who live there and 
will live forever. Ever since we have had charge 
of societies we have held firmly to the ministerial 
right to receive into the Church on trial such as 
give evidence of true contrition. We have held to 
this key with an unconquerable grip. We have 
sometimes met with opposition from the officiary on 
this point. An instance of this kind occurred, 
during one of our terms on this circuit. There ap- 
peared in our community a strange female who 
earned a bare support by washing. It Avas reported 
that she had been seen intoxicated several times by 
the wayside. Several temperance lecturers came 
out of Cincinnati, and held a series of meetings in 
quick succession. This woman came up, among 
others, and took the pledge. She then began to 
attend our religious meetings, and during a refresh- 
ing season sought and obtained religion. She ap- 
plied for admission into the Church. The difficulty 
was, there was not a leader that would have her 
name on his paper. I went privately to a young 
leader, and told him if he would let me put her 
name on the bottom of his class-book, I would 
pledge myself to take it off whenever she violated 
the rules. To this he agreed, supposing he would 



336 



THE CROSS. 



not be burdened with it long. She had heard the 
Church was unwilling to receive her, and the first 
time she attended class she meekly observed that 
she was not surprised or hurt by the Church being 
unwilling to receive her. She felt deeply that she 
was unworthy, but if they would only suffer her to 
come inside the door, where she could hear them 
sing, pray, and talk of the Savior, it was all she 
craved. 

From that day she was an example of piety, 
attending all her meetings, through all weathers, 
and she gradually drew on the respect of all, inside 
and outside the Church. After she had fully estab- 
lished her character as a humble Christian, she 
came down one day to the parsonage, with a bright 
countenance, and gave me a full account of her 
case, from which I gathered the following: She was 
brought up in Kentucky, and was a happy member 
of a pious, happy family. There was regular 
preaching in her father's house; but when her 
mother died her father married a woman who scat- 
tered the family like a tigress. She came to Ohio in 
order to get a living if possible; but exiled from all 
she loved, she felt lonely and abandoned. In that 
condition she had indulged in spirits, but the tem- 
perance lectures had fully opened her eyes to the 
unfathomable gulf to which she was tending; and 
having learned in her father's house where there 
was rest for her soul, she sought and found salva- 
tion. She then informed me she had just received 



MADISONVILLE. 



337 



a. letter from lier fatlier, to Avhom she had written 

after she was converted^ and he informed her that 

her step-mother was dead, all his children were 

gone, he was old and infirm, and that she must 

return and take care of him in his old age, and hi^ 

joroperty should be hers when he died. She felt it 

was her duty to go, but thought, as she had been a 

strano^er amono; us, it would be best to leave these 

particulars with the preacher. We gave her a letter, 

and Avas happy to hear, some time after, that she 

was with her father, and growing in grace and the 

knowledge of the Lord. Now, if I had taken the 

advice of the officiary, had rejected this penitent, 

and driven her back to perdition, what board of 

leaders could have answered for the violation of mv 

commission? When any have had a trial, and 

proved delinquent, then it is time to consult with 

others about laying them aside. Some think it is 

scandalous for the Church to try to save one whose 

former life has been shameful. We think it is the 

proper work of the Church below, and we believe 

the Church triumphant will embrace in her happy 

belt too many reformed prodigals, to blush at her 

past mercy. ^^But the world! but the world!" 

Well, to many of these it may still be said, the 

publicans and harlots enter into the kingdom of 

heaven before you. The children of this world 

would do well to ^^keep their breath to cool their 

own porridge." 

We are aware that as a Church declines in apos- 

29 



338 



THE CEOSS. 



tolic grace, she will gradually be driven from apos- 
tolic practice. No Church ever went down with a 
surge. We will make no noise against lay delega- 
tion, but when it comes we do hope that the preach- 
ers will fence in, stronger than ever, what is purely 
ministerial right. 

We had, while under the superintendence of 
brother Christie, the most singular meeting we ever 
saw or heard of before or since. It was in Bates's 
settlement. The meeting-house on Saturday night 
was crowded. Brother Parish had sung and prayed, 
and was just about to read his text, when a simul- 
taneous shout from nearly all the Church — men, 
women, and children — broke loose like a. tornado, and 
continued for nearly two hours by the elder s watch. 
It was deafening. Some eight or ten sinners came 
tumbling over the benches and fell at the altar cry- 
ing for mercy; but several fled out of the house 
and cursed like privateersmen, declaring it was a 
concerted scheme of the Methodists to scare them. 
There might be a division of this question. It was 
no concerted plan; but that they were badly scared 
there can be no doubt. In the midst of this human 
storm the elder requested brother Parish, who had 
a powerful voice, to slip down into the altar and try 
to exhort them. This he attempted, but although 
we were leaning over him, it was only now and then 
that we could understand a word. He soon sunk 
exhausted. As soon as the shouting subsided in a 
measure we opened the door of the Church and 



MADISONVILLE. 



339 



received a number. Some thought this would be 
followed by a general revival; but the whole Ohio 
Conference would not have raised such another 
shout, for it was a Church remarkably orderly. 



340 



THE CEOSS. 



XXVI. 

WEST UNION CIRCUIT. 

1838. This circuit was a part of the old Briisli 
Creek circuity and as such was an old acquaintance. 
Brother J. W. "Weakley was my appointed colleague. 
He had preached but one sermon before he came 
on^ but he improved rapidly. There was evidently 
a good feeling getting up in Eipley, and we built 
much hope on our first quarterly meeting. Brother 
Christie came on in bad health, so that he had to 
preach sitting in a chair. We made several efforts 
to get mourners to the altar, but not one would 
come forward. It at last struck us to invite sin- 
ners to join the Church. In a few moments the 
altar was surrounded. At every succeeding meet- 
ing we would try to prevail on them to come to the 
mourners' bench; but all in vain. As soon as we 
would open the door of the Church they would come 
in. We went on working in this way till we had 
received several scores. Although I had always 
believed in convicted persons joining the Church, I 
was a little alarmed at seeing so many unconverted 
members coming in at one time. But as soon as 
we began to hold social prayer meetings around 
town, persons began to obtain forgiveness, and we 



WEST UNION CIRCUIT. 



341 



received something over one hundred and fifty. 
We were considerably opposed in a private way. 
One minister, even, went into Methodist families, 
and tried to proselyte. A lady belonging to our 
Church said, 

"Sir, why take so much pains to turn a person 
fromx one Church to another — seeing, if we get to 
heaven, there will be no Methodists, no Presby- 
terians?" 

^'Indeed, madam, you are mistaken. There will 
be Presbyterians there — and we can prove it." 

^^I would like to know how." 

"Saint John, in the Isle of Patmos, had a clear 
view of heaven, and he saw four-and-twenty elders 
around the Throne. Now you know the Presbyte- 
rian Church has elders." 

"Bless my soul! and has not the Methodist 
Church got a plenty of elders — and presiding elders, 
in the bargain?" 

The same minister seemed to be exceedingly un- 
easy at the continuance of the meeting; and, while 
we were preaching to crowded houses, he sent a 
note to be read, that there would be a meeting of 
the Temperance Society, at the other church, on the 
next night. This society had been lately organized, 
and the Methodists had taken great interest in it. 

When I received this notice in the pulpit, I 
handed it to the brother who was going to preach, 
and requested him to read it distinctly, before he 
took his text. While he was preaching, I remem- 



342 



THE CEOSS. 



bered that some of brother William Armstrong's 
children had requested me to preach a sailor ser- 
mon; and then I thought, ^^Be ye wise as serpents.'' 
Perhaps the minister who sent the notice had been 
digesting the same command. When brother Gad- 
dis, who was on a visit, had finished preaching to 
the children, he caught several young folks. This 
gave occasion to some, next day, to say, ^^The 
Methodists are 'most done, they caught nothing 
last night but minnows." Before the meeting 
closed, we arose and observed, that some of the 
young people had requested me to preach a sea ser- 
mon. I concluded that I would, as in the morning 
of my life I had followed the seas, and it was pleas- 
ant for me to take a cruise now and then. I then 
opened the Bible and read, as my text for the next 
evening, '^They that go down to the seas in ships, 
and do business in the great deep/' etc. The next 
_ day, one would say to another, 

''Where will you go, to-night?" 

''0, I will go to hear about those who go down 
into the seas." 

At night our house was crowded, and the secre- 
tary of the Temperance Society was there. Our 
people were not indifferent about temperance; but 
they did not like it as a cloak for bigotry; and 
they knew, moreover, that the Temperance Society 
was always with them, but times of refreshing were 
transient. 

We called up the mourners, after preaching, and 



WEST UNION CIRCUIT. 



343 



had an amazing haul. It seemed to me that some 
of the tallest and most bare-boned folks in the town 
rushed forward. One Methodist rose up on a bench, 
and; turning to the congregation, said, ^^See here! 
Are these minnows ? No. We love minnows. But, 
look here : monsters I whales I sea-serpents ! Glory 
be to God!" And the work still went on. 

The next thrust at me was infamous. A country 
minister told a large congregation, on a Sabbath, 
that the preacher in charge of West Union circuit, 
hearing that the trustees of the meeting-house in 
Decatur had given leave to an abolition lecturer to 
use the house, had violently taken the key and put 
it in his pocket, declaring that the preachers had a 
sovereis:n ris:ht to all the churches. When told of 
this announcement, and that the story was going 
the rounds, I had never heard that any one had 
applied to the trustees for the house. When we in- 
quired of the trustees, they said that they had prom- 
ised a gentleman the use of the house ; but that a 
report had gone abroad, that the friends of the lec- 
turer intended to carry private arms, and this re- 
port, whether true or false, had exasperated a certain 
class, and they were determined to attend under 
similar circumstances. So, fearing the meeting- 
house would become a place of slaughter, they had 
stopped the proceedings. The trustees could be 
.qualified that this was done in my absence, and, as 
far as they knew, I was innocent of the whole mat- 
ter. The town preacher made a great blow about 



344 



THE CROSS. 



this matter, and I authorized a friend to give him 
the right version. He said, ^^Then, why does not 
Mr. L. appoint a time, and fully explain himself on 
this matter, from the pulpit, and define his posi- 
tion?" I knew he would rather hear this than the 
Grospel, particularly if it would get us all by the 
ears, and stop our revival. 

But I requested the friend in answer to this to 
say, that I regarded the pulpit sacred to the Gospel, 
and the Lord had called me to preach not myself ^ 
but Christ Jesus the Lord, and myself his servant 
for Jesus' sake. And as the Lord and myself knew 
that the report was false, they were welcome to 
handle it as much as they pleased, provided they 
would do themselves no harm. Still the work of God 
went on. I felt it to be my duty, in the light of the 
golden rule, to visit the minister who was circula- 
ting this whole-cloth slander through the country. 
A member of brother Meek's family was present on 
one occasion when he entertained his congregation 
with the interesting narrative. Still I charitably 
hoped that he had been imposed on, and that he 
would like to be disabused, if it was false. He had 
invited me some time before to visit him, in virtue 
of our former acquaintance when I was traveling 
Brush Creek. So I went to see him, but not with- 
out much prayer. He invited me into his study, 
and I soon opened my business by telling him that 
I had understood that he had used my name in 
connection with the trustees of Decatur meeting- 



WEST UNION CIECUIT. 



345 



house, and Avliatever might have been the source of 
his information, the story he had told was without 
any foundation. I had never heard it till it came 
to me from his pulpit. He promptly denied the 
whole matter. I then asked him if brother Meek 
did not stop him as he passed his house, coming 
from that meeting, and advise him not to repeat 
the story, as he knew that brother L. was too well 
acquainted with the Discipline to assume such 
authority over the trustees; and although he had 
not mentioned it to him as yet, he knew that such 
a procedure was entirely contrary to his whole 
character. At the mention of Meek's name he be- 
gan a eulogy on him, and allowed if he said so, 
there must have been something of it. Then his 
face grew red, and he said, 

^^If vou did not do that, vou have done v:orse, 
sir, and I have no apology to make." 

^^Yrell, what have I done worse? If I have 
stolen or murdered let me answer to my crimes; 
but clear me of what I have not done." 

'^You have oppressed the African. You have no 
mercy for him. You rivet his chains. You take 
away his Bible. You are the man who roused up 
the citizens to pelt me with rotten eggs, as I passed 
through the other day. You are the man who slips 
threatening letters under my door, saying you will 
burn up me and my house if I do not renounce my 
principles, or if I do not lodge money in certain 
places, and — " 



346 



THE CROSS. 



'^Stop; stop; sir. I am the man who would re- 
joice if every slave in the natioji had a Bible and 
could read it, obey it, and get to heaven. This is 
the first intelligence I have had of your being 
egged in passing through Decatur. I should have 
certainly heard of such a remarkable circumstance 
if it had happened. And take care how you talk 
of me and secret missives.'' 

Then he flew into a fury, and cried in a loud but 
tremulous voice, stamping his feet, at every repe- 
tition, Begone! begone! begone! Leave me! leave 
me!" I coolly retired toward the door of the room. 
He waddled round the table, following me through 
the passage with '^Begone! leave my house." I 
still kept my eye a little quartering, expecting a 
poop. What I would have done if he had kicked 
me, the Lord knows; but I reached the street in 
safety, and he slammed the door with a noise that 
resounded through the whole castle. It was some- 
thing singular that although till this time I had all 
the tranquillity that I had prayed for, yet I had 
not walked fifty yards before I felt my fists coiling 
up, and my feet in stays, and something seemed to 
say, why did you not knock the lubber over? You 
could have slapped him to the floor. Then I found 
that prayer after meat was necessary as well as be- 
fore. When I told my adventure to some of our 
leading men, they wondered that I went to see him 
at all. They said he had some sense on ordinary 
subjects, but we have found him perfectly insane 



WEST UXION CIKCUIT. 



347 



on his favorite theme. One of our stewards, a 
plain, serious man, told me he had carried a cow- 
hide under his skirts during a whole day to give 
him a thrashing wherever he might find him; but 
when he got a little cool, he said, ^^Why should I 
whip a crazy man?" His conduct to me was unac- 
countable, as I had never interfered with his 
Jinny QuocJzisan'' while on the circuit. The 
secret letters'' I understood were written by one 
of his own household for fun — a kind of Monsieur 
Tonson" afi'air. One day a genteel-looking negro 
approached some of us, craving help to purchase his 
wife. He had letters from well-known citizens of 
Maysville, and we judged from his documents and 
his honest carriage that he was worthy. "We 
pointed to the stately mansion of our zealous minis- 
ter, and advised him to apply there, for the owner 
was a great friend of the African. 

^^0, massa, he too conscientious!" 

''What do you mean?" 

''Why, I done gone to see him." 

'^W^hat did he say?" 

"Why, he argufy that if he give me a dime to 
buy my wife, den, y' see, he trade in human flesh 
and blood, and dat is de thing he preaches against — 
he conscience entirely too tender, massa." 

Years upon years rolled away, even unto green 
old ao-e, when beinc^ stationed in a town on the 
Ohio, as I was about to cross the muddy street on 
a narrow gangway, there appeared at the opposite 



348 



THE CROSS. 



end a stately, venerable gentleman, coming from the 
other side. There had been a report for several 
days that the President was coming down the river 
on a Western tour, and as the gentleman approach- 
ing was not of our river-eel type, I said to myself, 
'^Surely, here he is as large as life;" and I stepped 
aside in the mud, as in duty bound — rendering unto 
Csesar the things that are Caesar's. And I was de- 
termined to take a good look, as it Avas my only 
chance. As he came up, he rolled his large eyes 
on me, committed a smile, and said, 

'^Surely, this is my old friend, L. My name 
is B." 

So it was, and we entered into a pleasant conver- 
sation; but in the most interesting part, conscience 
stirred up in her lair, and he said, 

''Look here, L. ! didn't we once have some kind 
of a stir round — ^he — it seems almost like a dream; 
but I came across a humorous piece in the Advo- 
cate, written by you, and it so pleased me that I 
forgave all — so we 11 let old matters pass." 

Amen! Pass on, brother B.; may we meet in 
heaven ! 

The Methodists got up a school in Indiana, and 
solicited my colleague to take charge of it. To this 
I was opposed. I believed it would be better for 
him and the Church for him to continue in the itin- 
erancy. I believe he thought so too; but by the 
force of circumstances he was taken away. I know 
that he has since filled his vocation with honor and 



WEST UNION CIRCUIT. 



349 



credit; but what is it to what he might have 
done? 

Brother Oliver Williams was put in his place. 
He was one of the most innocent and devoted young 
ministers of that day. He rode a few years in the 
work when alarming symptoms of derangement 
began to appear. His friends hoping that by a 
scientific treatment of the disease by physicians 
practiced in such complaints^ he might be restored^ 
carried him to Columbus. But vain was the help 
of man. The Lord took him to his people's rest. 
Some think it strange that a child of God should 
be suffered to lose his reason. But when we reflect 
that insanity comes by natural or accidental causes 
that are common to all men, so that the Lord, in 
preventing it in special cases, would have to exercise 
miraculous power; and when we consider, moreover, 
that he has pledged himself to his people to save 
them in their afl3.ictions, and not to preserve them 
from the natural ills of this life; that although he 
may sufi'er them to pass through the waters, the 
waves shall not overwhelm them, or to pass through 
the fire, the flame shall not destroy themi, we may 
well have hope for the pious amid all the ravings 
of insanity. 

In almost all cases Avhere Christians have been 
demented and subsequently restored, they awake as 
out of an unconscious state. I read a beautiful 
illustration of this: A young man became serious, 
and was diligently seeking religion. He suddenly 



350 



THE CBOSS. 



lost his reason. His pious parents were deeply 
afflicted, and especially afflicted because they had no 
evidence of his justification before this misfortune. 
The doctor, however, told them he thought it was a 
case arising out of malconformation of the cranium, 
which caused a pressure on the brain; and if this 
was the case he might be restored at the period of 
life when the fullness of youth began to decline. 
The parents anxiously watched him for years, and 
when the period that the physician spoke of arrived^ 
he gradually recovered his senses. It was noticed 
that he was of a new disposition, full of meekness 
and love to God and all mankind. When he suffi- 
ciently recovered his recollection he stated that the 
last thing which he knew before the unconscious 
parenthesis through which he had passed was, that 
while struggling for mercy he w^as powerfully 
blessed — overwhelmed — and knew no more. How 
strangely did the Lord preserve him! Christ has 
said, ^^My grace is sufficient." Sufficient for what? 
For the most stupendous ills that sin has made, 
We never had any uneasy thoughts about the 
eternal state of our beloved brother Oliver. View- 
ing the subject in the above light, we have a most 
potent argument why every man should make his 
peace with God, lest that awful day of darkness 
should suddenly overtake him in his sins. 

This was the only appointment, as far as I know, 
that the devil or any of his agents procured for me. 
In saying this we do not call in question the purity 



WEST UNION CIECUIT. 



351 



of the bishops or my presiding elder. They made 
the appointment in good faith, and, as we learned, 
under the impression of a request; and I paid for 
it in current money. Neither do we cast any re- 
flection on the circuit. We were old friends, but I 
objected to the fraud that an outsider played. We 
mention the circumstance for the consideration of 
young preachers. In the morning of my ministry I 
received my appointments with both hands, as 
though sliding right down from heaven. In later 
years I allowed some appointments were only by the 
permissive will of Heaven, and some through the 
secret treachery of wicked men. Still, the Lord 
will cause all things to work together for good to 
those who are the called according to his purpose. 
This year we received more than two hundred 
members, according to our account; and after 
assorting the fish for twelve months, and mending 
the old netj, the Minutes gave us an increase of one 
hundred and fifteen. The devil sent John to the 
Isle of Patmos, where it was supposed he could do 
nothing; but in that dreary solitude he exposed his 
whole programme through succeeding ages — down to 
the bottomless pit. So let us go to all our appoint- 
ments, come whence they may; we are not ac- 
countable for the making of them. Still, long-suf- 
fering itself has its periods and stops, and lest the 
devil should take an advantage of me, I determined 
not to return. So at the last quarterly meeting I 
raised a breeze among the trustees of the parsonage. 



352 



THE CROSS. 



I stiowed Cliristie and the conference that they held 
a little log-house, with one room and a garret, which 
they called a parsonage in order to meet the letter 
of the Discipline. If the preacher said it was a 
miserable shanty, they said ^^no, it is our parsonage ^ 
and if you are too proud to go into it, you can 
rent, at your own expense, as the Discipline directs." 
A warm debate followed, which resulted in some of 
them acknowledging that it was a piece of barba- 
rism that they were ashamed of; and my successors 
got a place where to lay their heads." 



FRANKLINTON CIRCUIT. 353 



XXVII. 

FRANKLINTON AND CIRCLEVILLE 
CIRCUITS. 

1839. This circuit was somewhat diverse from 
any that I had traveled, both in its geographical 
and social characters. It embraced a wide range 
of barrens, and was eminently suited for cattle. 
"We would often ride along a fence two or three 
miles in extent, and some of the graziers possessed 
several thousand acres of land in a body. This 
made the country extremely inconvenient for schools 
and churches. A stranger would judge the land to 
be poor, from the scrubby character of the oaks. 
But this, it is said, has been produced by the an- 
nual fires which swept over these plains before the 
settlement. The land is good. We had no revival 
on this appointment; and we doubt whether there 
has ever been one of much note. The materials 
are rather obdurate. One part — the wealthy gra- 
ziers — are genteel, polite, and generous; they will 
give largely for building meeting-houses, and sup- 
porting the preachers; they will attend meetings 
regularly, and behave with as much decorum in the 
house of God as members of the Church — and the 
preacher thinks he will get them before the year is 



354 



THE OEOSS. 



up. But he is mistaken. He will get some nice 
hams, butter, flour, coffee, and sometimes money— 
as much as five dollars at the time — as presents; 
but their souls are their own, and they are con- 
firmed infidels. I attended a wedding one evening, 
at one of their houses. The old gentleman invited 
me into his private room, and conversed freely with 
me about the affairs of the Church. About supper- 
time there was a considerable buzz among the large 
company of young folks below; but when the patri- 
arch made his appearance they were all as still as 
mice. And, later in the evening, when much hilar- 
ity prevailed in the hall, when the old man ap- 
peared, and gave the signal for prayer, all was still. 
Every one rose and joined in singing, and every 
one kneeled in prayer. When we retired again, I 
looked at the gentleman. His external appearance 
was so venerable — the order of his household so 
correct — I began to think that he might be a 
Christian, or that he might be partially sanctified 
by his Methodist wife; but he broke my reverie by 
saying: 

^^Mr. L., why does your Church make such 
efforts to send missionary preachers to the In- 
dians?" 

''To Christianize them, sir." 

''But there is no necessity for this. I was in this 
country in Indian times, and I assure you that 
their morals are superior even to ours. They 
are men of truth. I could depend on their verbal 



F R A X K L I X T 0 N CIRCUIT. 



355 



promise with more confidence than I can on the 
bond of a Avhite man; and I think their religion is 
of a superior order." 

I directed him to certain passages of the Bible — 
but I found that he did not believe in the Bible, 
and that he Avas an immovable infidel. 

These rich graziers are called, by Avay of distinc- 
tion, ^' Short- Horns.'' The o-entleman to ^vhom I 
refer, would attend our meeting, like others of his 
class, and would not venture to breathe any doubt 
of Christianity before his hands or tenants. "What- 
ever they may think of Christianity, they admit 
that the preaching of it is calculated to keep the 
lower class in bounds. The Short-Horns fare, like 
the rich man, sumptuously every day — for they say 
they know not when company may come upon 
them. They are very hospitable ; but it is consid- 
ered a miracle of miracles for one of them to get 
converted. Some of their children, however, joined 
us. The next class, the tenants, generally have no 
fear of God before their eyes, and very few of them 
are ever found at meetino:. The tradesmen, and 
owners of agricultural farms, are, many of them, in 
the Church, and accessible to the Gospel; but all 
are a scattered people, and it is with difficulty they 
can attend church in bad weather. 

The population is very light-spirited, and even 
the girls are given to horse-racing, fox-hunting, and 
daring horsemanship, leaping fences, and swimming 
creeks and rivers. It is true, the ^lethodist girls 



356 



THE CEOSS. 



are easily distinguished from the mass, having sac- 
rificed these pleasures; but when they come to the 
quarterly meetings, you may see, by the way they 
hold their loaded horsewhips, and give them an oc- 
casional smack, as they pass along, that they have 
known something of the turf. They are Christians, 
but very blithe and buoyant Christians. 

The best appointment on this circuit was on the 
Scioto, above Franklinton, on the very ground 
where we had that revival on the Columbus cir- 
cuit, where Arianism once prevailed. The most of 
the members with whom we had met, in the begin- 
ning of our ministry, had passed into their rest. 
A number of members from the East had settled 
in that region, and built up a large and respectable 
meeting-house. They were intelligent and liberal. 
Some paid from five to ten dollars, annually, to the 
Missionary Society, but their peculiar strength in 
supporting the Gospel Avas in every one giving 
something. The last time I preached to them, they 
presented me a very generous bonus. Perhaps we 
may never meet them again in this world. May 
we all meet in heaven! 

My colleague was Jeremiah Hill, a young man 
of very promising talents, both as a preacher and a 
writer. We had a remarkably-pleasant time in 
working together. At one of our quarterly meet- 
ings brother Jacob Young, in preaching on ''Come, 
let us go up to the house of the Lord, to the house 
of the God of Jacob," became quite fanciful in 



FEANELINTON CIlfCUIT. 



357 



explaining by faith the missionary fields of futurity. 
Yes, he saw, in his imagination, Alfred M. Lorrain 
in Arabia, walking among the tents of the Arabi- 
ans, with his Bible in one hand and his hymn-book 
in the other, saying, ^^Come, let us go up to the 
house of the Lord." Then he saw Jeremiah Hill 
in Africa, among the krawls of the Hottentots, say- 
ing, ''Come, let us go up to the house of the Lord." 
I looked at Jeremiah and saw his face unusually 
red, and I found out that, although an ultra aboli- 
tionist, he did not like at all to be stationed among 
the Hottentots. But the elder rose higher and 
higher at the thought, and the congregation looked 
as though on the verge of the millennium. This 
pious, gifted colleague of mine soon passed away to 
brighter worlds on high. I never knew age with 
grace to do so much for any man as they did for 
our highly-esteemed elder, Jacob Young, He was 
my elder when I started, and he was in the prime 
of life. Then he was a doctrinal, argumentative, 
and instructive minister, but as dry as a chip. In 
his latter days his ministrations were melodiously 
melting, and full of grace and love. I am glad he 
lived so long. Still he was sometimes a little short. 
While he was a widower he often stopped with us, 
and was a great favorite in the family. On one 
occasion several of the members called to see him, 
and he was giving his opinion on a favorite subject. 
After a while he made a long pause, and thinking 
he had ended his ''say," I began to take up the 



358 



THE CROSS. 



parable. He turned round, and said, ''Brother L., 
just hush. — stop talking— is it come to this, that 
old folks can not talk without being interrupted by 
the young?" As this was before some of my par- 
ishioners, I felt a blush flash over my face, and 
gave a very polite apology, stating that I supposed 
he had ceased speaking. I saw that his hasty 
remark troubled him. As he rode home he went 
several miles to see my colleague. When brother 
Hill saw me again, he said, ''What did you do to 
our elder when he was last with you, that you are 
placed up so high in his estimation? He came 
several miles to see me, and staid only a little 
while, but all his talk was a eulogy on A. M. L., 
and he finally concluded you were the greatest 
gentleman in the Ohio Conference." I told him the 
good brother had — hastily — insulted me, and I sup- 
pose he thought it would be too much to make 
amends in person, and had taken that opportunity 
to do it by proxy. He grew more and more de- 
voted to his favorite calling, and has gone up on 
high, like a ripe ear, to swell the garner of his 
Lord. 0, may I be a partaker of that bliss ! 

CIECLEVILLE CIECUIT. 

1840-1. On this circuit I was in connection with 
brother T. A. Gr. Phillips. Although each of us 
had our own share in the variety that marks the 
Methodist ministry, yet we were happily yoked to- 
gether. Soon after we commenced our labors a 



CIKCLEVILLE CIRCUIT. 



359 



Divine influence seemed to pervade the circuit; and 
altliougli we sent messengers to crave help of each 
other^ 3^et we both had our hands full. We, how- 
ever, sometimes got together. My colleague had 
been carrying on a good work in Kingston when 
I came to his assistance. One night, supposing the 
times favorable, I hoisted all sail and took a cruise. 
Our meeting-house doors were each side of the pul- 
pit, and what some called the devil's half acre was 
abaft the congregation. As we began to make 
land under cheering circumstances, I exhorted the 
mourners to come on while I was yet preaching, 
and began to portray the awful shipwreck of the 
soul on the iron-bound shores of eternal damnation; 
and in the midst of the bursting of timber, the crash 
of masts, the thunder of parting bolts and sweeping 
breakers, the sinners made almost a general rush 
toward us. One stream down each aisle shot 
through the door, like thunder, and the other 
stream dropped around the altar, and cried for 
mercy. My colleague braced right up to the wind, 
till he saw what was the nature of the comino- 

o 

hosts, and then he sprang into the altar, opening 
an avrful broadside that seemed to make the moral 
atmosphere shake. In going round he saw a wick- 
ed tavern-keeper down on his beam ends, and he 
cried out, Salvation! here's the devil's owm major- 
general down on his bends!" We made a great 
haul before we were done. One thing; is worthv of 
remark: this work was in the midst of the most 



360 



THE CROSS. 



exciting political canvass we ever had; and althougli 
we both avoided the stump, through grace, yet 
every man, who came through, came out on the 
right political side. The two parties, which then 
were, are dissolved, and it might be no offense to 
say which was the right side; but lest we might 
turn up some latent spark, we simply say the right 
side; and if you, reader, were on the right side, 
then they came out on your side, A wicked poli- 
tician, hearing this, said, he would to God all 
the world would get converted. 

But whether we worked together or singly, the 
Word of the Lord had free course. A society at 
one end of the circuit requested me to give them 
preaching for one week. I began Monday night, and 
continued through the next Sunday Avithout any min- 
isterial help, excepting one sermon on the Sabbath. 
We took in about fifty members. There was one sin- 
gular circumstance connected with this; I did not 
preach at all to my own satisfaction, and sometimes 
found it hard work. When I looked at the effects I 
was astonished. I was astonished at the work in con- 
nection with the paucity of the means. While on this 
subject I will add, that on a certain occasion I was 
traveling to Cincinnati in company with a preacher ; 
we concluded to stop at a camp meeting on the 
road, and feed. While there they put me up to 
preach. I felt greatly in the brush, and thought 
my sermon entirely out of place. It was on sancti- 
fication. About fifteen years after, I fell in com- 



C I K C L E V I L L E C I K C U I T . 



361 



pany with a brother who asked if I was not at that 
camp meeting, and if I did not preach on such a 
text. I told him I did, but thought it was poor 
preaching. ^^Well/' added he, ^^I wanted to tell 
you that that sermon was salvation to me." An- 
other singularity to offset this is, I have sometimes 
preached when there was no sign of external good, 
when my own soul was overwhelmed with the sub- 
ject; when it has appeared to me as if grace and 
peace have flowed out in a circle and returned into 
my own bosom, in good measure, pressed down and 
running over. Almost four hundred souls on this 
circuit professed religion that year. iSTumbers of 
them belonged to the Church, as seekers, for years, 
but this revival brought them through. I continued 
on the circuit another vear, and our societies were 
blessed and edified. On the last year I had two- 
very severe spells of sickness, and it was reported 
in some places that I had died. Dr. Brown waited 
on me with all the tender solicitude of a brother, 
and when I called upon him for my bill, which I 
expected would be heavy, and justty so in view of 
his untiring services, he smiled, and said, ^'Nothing 
at ally Some of our leading members said lie 
should lose nothing, for they would promote his 
practice as much as v/as in their power. A few 
months after I left I Avas rejoiced to hear he had 
embraced religion, and joined the Presbyterian 
Church. All the doctors called to see me in my 

illness, and said, if at any time Dr. Brown Vs-as 

31 ' 



362 



THE CEOSS. 



absent, it would give them pleasure to wait on me. 
The apothecary was equally generous in his depart- 
ment. I can never forget the tender care with 
which I was watched over by the young brethren 
in the Church by night and day. When my last 
spell of sickness was arrested I could not hold a 
pen in my fingers so firmly as to write. My mind 
was enfeebled as much as my body, and in the 
utter absence of all appetite, I concluded I would 
never engage again in the useless and dirty work 
of eating. I argued that there was substance 
enough in water to sustain life, and thought if I 
could be only settled down by a clear spring, I 
would ask no more. I continued in this way till 
my wife had serious apprehensions that I would die 
with starvation. One day some of the brethren 
brought a large fish they had caught in the Scioto. 
When I saw this a kind of recollection of past 
agreeable acquaintance induced me to taste a piece, 
then my appetite returned at once, like a cataract. 
Three weeks embraces the amount of time that I 
have been detained from my work by sickness in 
the course of forty years. I have had considerable 
sickness, but not of such a nature as to lay me up. 

About this time Bishop Hamline, who was then 
editor of the E^epository, solicited me to write for 
that monthly. I was surprised that he should 
make such a request of me, but in explanation he 
said that none of those on whom he had principally 
relied would come to his help, and he was almost 



CIECLEVILLE CIRCUIT. 



363 



alone in tlie Avork. I complied with his request, 
and contributed to that magazine for several years, 
and till the literati came to its succor, and I found 
the editors were furnished with more material than 
they could manage. 

The great centenary celebration came on while 
we were on this circuit. On that day I preached 
to an overflowing congregation^ in Circleville, on 
^'The weapons of our warfare are not carnal^ but 
mighty through God to the pulling down of strong- 
holds." And my colleague and myself raised a 
subscription of about thirteen hundred dollars, in 
cash, land, etc., on the circuit. The enthusiasm of 
the Methodists on that occasion was grand; indeed, 
the Church there was in that day called, faithful, 
and chosen; and we hope they have not degenerated. 



364 



THE CEOSS, 



XXVIII. 
URBANA STATION. 

1842. My next circuit was London. The first 
part of the year the weather was open, and the 
long roads were very muddy. I had a little horse 
that was as active as a deer, and it would have 
puzzled the ingenuity of man to trip him. How- 
ever, the creature had a hard gait, and splashed 
the mud about like a beaver, so that, often, on my 
return home, horse and man would look as if they 
were lathed and plastered. 

About this time I was taken with an affliction in 
my loins, which has been like a thorn in my flesh ever 
since, and has compelled me finally to cease riding. 
While it has been wasting me away, my external 
appearance has been robust and healthy. 

I was now so worn out that it a.ppeared I could 
ride no longer. In my distress I wept, and called 
on the Lord. One cold, rainy day, as I was riding 
home through the mud, after hard labor, I saw a 
person riding toward me, with his head braced 
against the storm. As he passed he handed me a 
letter. It was from my presiding elder, and directed 
me to remove, as soon as I could, to Urbana. This 
I gladly received as an express call from above. I 



UKBANA STATION. 



365 



was not glad because I was going to exchange my 
circuit for a station merely. The London circuit at 
that time was a good circuit for any one in perfect 
health. The brethren had liberally supplied my 
table, stable, and wood-yard, and it was not neces- 
sary to lay out much money. Still, in my gloomy 
moments, it seemed to me that the people cared but 
little about me. They were a prudent people, and 
were not given to flattery. It is said, in order to 
get a good name a man should die; and I would 
have never known the estimate that the Church in 
London had placed on me, had not my ministerial 
term so suddenly expired. As soon as my orders 
were known, there was almost a general insurrection 
against my elder. Some of the leading men said 
they would not let me go, unless I would promise, 
as soon as I could, to come and ride their circuit 
again. I told them I did not choose my places, for 
that was contrary to Methodism; but if the bishops 
should appoint me there again, I would cheerfully 
come — so I would. Again, I was not glad of the 
providence that led to my removal. The health of 
brother Christie, which had been waning for some 
time, was about exhausted. "With tottering steps 
he would ascend the pulpit in Urbana, against the 
expostulations of his best friends. He would begin 
his services in a feeble voice; but, gathering inter- 
est and animation in his subject, his eyes would 
flash up, his nerves tighten, and he would pour 
forth his eloquence in his wonted volume of voice, 



366 



THE CEOSS. 



as in days gone by. Having the consumption, lie 
appeared to be entirely insensible of the near- 
ness of his death. A Presbyterian brother visited 
him in the parsonage, and spoke of his rapid de- 
cline, and made some religious remarks on his 
removal, very soon, to the spirit-land. W,hen he 
retired, Christie looked round with a smile, and 
said, '^That good brother thinks he knows all about 
my complaint." When he determined to visit his 
friends in Cincinnati, he was so feeble that the 
brethren had made arrangements to send a friend 
to drive. This he would not listen to; he felt all- 
sufficient for the journey. He could not drive far, 
and his wife, who had never been accustomed to 
horses, had to take the reins, although she had a 
young child. When told by his brother-in-law, an 
experienced physician, that death was upon him, he 
seemed to be surprised — but in a few moments ob- 
served that he was ready, and thanked God that he 
had not preached an unfelt Savior. He died 
calmly, resigned, happy. 

It was something of a cross to follow immediately 
this seraphic minister; and the people, doubtless, 
felt the change, but they were too good to let me 
know it; and I preached here nearly two years 
more with improving congregations. Brother Chris- 
tie had a most extraordinary revival, both as it re- 
garded numbers, and its singular type. We hardly 
know whether the word revival is suitable, as the 
- work was almost altogether among the irreligious, 



U EE ANA STATION. 



367 



while the Church was comparatively in a lifeless 
state, and receiving so many converts into the 
Church was like putting a live child into the arms 
of a dead mother. We often heard the members 
conversing about that work^ and wondering at it. 
When mourners were called to the altar, they would 
come promptly and in crowds. The members would 
stand back amazed, and the heaviest work of the 
preacher was to persuade them to the work. Al- 
though they had generally been a working Church, 
yet they had to be almost compelled to come up. 
One of the leaders — about the best leader in our 
Conference — when brought up almost by compulsion, 
told me that he could hardly find a word to say to 
the mourners. They Avould frequently say to each 
other, ^^When will this meetino: close?" and some of 
them expressed a wish that it might close. The 
backsliding that followed this work was also singu- 
lar. A great number had gone back before I came 
to the station, and many went after. 

Another difficulty that met me at my coming 
was a division of opinion in regard to the music. 
A preacher who preceded Christie had put a choir 
in the gallery. When Christie came he put it down. 
The singers thought they were too lightly esteemed, 
and refrained from taking any part in the singing. 
Many Avho were opposed to choirs could not sing. 
There was one very pious brother who could not sing- 
much better than myself, who was our only depend- 
ence. Some of the young men said if he did not 



368 



THE CROSS. 



quit singing '^John Grrimes" they would whip him. 
And we evidently needed some improvement in this 
department. I was waited on by persons on both 
sides of the question, and I listened complacently to 
their reasons and arguments, and told them that I 
required some little time to examine the subject. 
After examining the Discipline I waited on one of 
our principal singers, and told him that the gallery 
was only a question of place, and if he would assist 
me I would revive the singing in the center of the 
congregation. He spoke to other singers, and they 
agreed to this. I told two of them to take their 
stations under the main lamp the next Sunday, 
and to invite some females to do so on their side, 
as leaders; and to invite other good singers to 
sit by them, and all to be in place before public 
service. On the Sabbath I arose with the Disci- 
pline in my hand and observed, that we had had some 
difficulty about singing, and all would admit that 
there was room for improvement; that it was well 
known that a difference of opinion existed in that 
Church on the subject, but as a minister there was 
but one course for me. When I entered into orders 
I promised to adminster the Discipline with a mild 
but firvi hand. Now, what says the Discipline on 
this very subject? ^^If you can not sing yourself 
choose a person or two, at each place, to pitch the 
tune for you. Exhort every person in the congre- 
gation to sing.'' This is the order of the Discipline, 
and I am sure I am in the path of duty, I appoint 



UEBAXA STATION. 



369 



these two brethren to pitch the tune — mentioning 
their names. I have stationed them under the large 
lamps, where they will, on evenings, have the great- 
est body of light, and where their voices will reach 
all the walls of this spacious building at once, and 
where they will not displace the old members. Every 
one in the house is exhorted to sino; with them. We 
struck off delis^htfuUv, and the sino-ino* increased in 
purity and melody every Sabbath, till it was en- 
chanting; and strangers from the eastward said 
they had heard no better singing in the Atlantic 
cities. 

I mention this because difficulties often arise 
about singing, and the devil is never better pleased 
than when he can turn this part of divine worship 
into contention and strife. It has been my rule 
never to put up a choir where there has never been 
one, and not to pull down a choir where it is. In 
either case it will raise a smoke in the wigwam. I 
believe in improving in singing as well as in other 
matters. The people of Urbana deserve great 
credit. At the time we are reviewing, they had 
spent fifteen hundred dollars in the acquisition of 
vocal music, and they had then a most accomplished 
teacher. During my short stay on London circuit 
I was associated with brother John Steele, with 
whom I renewed fellowship in travel in subsecjuent 
years. Brother Zachariah Gonnell was our presiding 
elder. It is doubtful whether the Ohio Conference, 
in all its history, ever had a better. He was clad 



370 



THE CEOSS. 



in pure Methodism, in doctrine, discipline, and 
usage. He was a strong preacher, argumentative 
and forcible; and with the professing congregation, 
on Monday mornings, tender, melting, and experi- 
mental. I never heard him preach without wishing 
I could have his sermon written as it fell from his 
lips. He only wanted the voice and delivery to 
make him perfect in preaching. 

We had a revival in Urbana. The work was not 
so great among the irreligious — we only received 
about fifty new members — but the Church was very 
lively, and some professed to receive sanctification. 
We suppose there is not a more pleasant station in 
the Conference than Urbana. Many of the old 
members have passed into their rest. May the 
smiles of Heaven rest upon their offspring! 



HAMILTON STATION. 



371 



XXIX. 

HAMILTON STATION-MONHOE 
CIRCUIT. 

HAMILTON STATION. 

1843. Hamilton is one of the most pleasant 
places in our State; and, in our day, we had flush 
congregations. But we received the charge with a 
great drawback; Millerism was then in its zenith — 
perhaps a little beyond. It had infected the 
Church, not in the extremities, but it had disor- 
dered its head by getting hold of some of the 
officiary. We say some; the larger part of that 
departm^ent was sound. We saw clearly that we 
could not get round it, still we fully comprehended 
the delicacy of laying a hand upon it, and saw the 
propriety of the caution of the Discipline — ^'inild 
but firm.'' As it was the all-absorbing subject, we 
so far took to the current as to give our views on 
the subject. 

We have always believed that where a charge is 
endangered by any besetting evil, it is the duty of 
the preacher to pay attention to that evil in a pru- 
dent manner. Under this impression Ave have 
sometimes had to make almost a new set of ser- 



372 



THE CBOSS. 



mons. To preach sermons that would suit equally 
New York^ Cincinnati^ or any other place^ when a 
deadly evil is eating up our charge^ is nothing 
more than stage-horse monotony. In Hamilton we 
undertook to show that however startling the fig- 
ures of Mr. Miller might appear to some, he was 
wrong in their application. The end that the 
vision of Daniel referred to was not the end of the 
world. "What did such a good man as Daniel care 
about the end of the world? One who could sleep 
all night with a lion for his pillow and a tiger for 
his footboard, had no effeminate tremors about the 
end of the world. As a captive Jew he did mourn 
over the prostration of the Church of the living 
God. Jerusalem was in ruins, and all the pleasant 
things of Mount Zion laid waste. He fasted, wept, 
and prayed, and desired to see an end to the deso- 
lation of the Church, and he cried out ^4iow long? 
how long? 0 Lord!" The vision itself was not to 
gratify the curiosity of an individual, but to com- 
fort the Church for ages to come. 

We endeavored also to show that the end — the 
restitution of Israel — would be the birthday of the 
kingdom of Christ, the universal reign of grace; 
that this glorious reign would last more than three 
hundred thousand years; that the very structure 
of the earth seemed to favor this doctrine, inas- 
much as we had barely lifted the crust and entered 
on the thresholds of immense beds of minerals 
suited to the wants of a civilized and Christianized 



HAMILTON STATION. 



373 



world for ages to come: and our eartli was supplied 
with a cargo and all necessary small stores for the 
eventful vovao-e. We showed them that the vision 
of John, in the Isle of Patmos, agreed with this 
view, putting the millennium before the day of gen- 
eral judgment. We argued that their doctrine was 
wrong because it troubled the Churches. The same 
doctrine was broached in the apostles' day, and one 
of them wrote to the Churches ^^Be not troubled.'' 
It troubles the Churches now. We did not at first 
think it would. We said, Supposing it is false, if 
Christians believe the judgment is immediately im- 
pending, surely they will live m^ore holy, have more 
love for God and man. Vain thought! The errors 
of man can not work the righteousness of God. 
The Church is troubled now; separate prayer meet- 
ings are established, in which old and faithful 
members are regarded as infidels, however bright 
their experience or holy their lives; they lack the 
sine qua non, faith in the doctrines of Millerism. 
The preachers are publicly denounced as blind lead- 
ers of the blind. And does all this look like being 
prepared for the coming of the Lord? 

Again, the argument of Miller is in direct oppo- 
sition to that of Christ. Millerism says, Because 
we know the day, we will watch and pray." Christ 
say.-. ''Because you k/iow not the day, watch and 
pray." Here the ^'knowing not the day" is the 
argument why we should watch and pray; and the 
argument is natural as well as evangelical. Sup- 



374 



THE CKOSS. 



pose a man should receive a letter from his father, 
that he has not seen for many years, stating that 
he would spend a particular day — say Friday — at 
his house; that man would not watch for his 
father on any other day. If pressing business 
should call him away on Monday, Tuesday, or 
"Wednesday, he would go. But, suppose the letter 
should state that his father would be at his house 
some time next week; then he would watch for him 
all the time. ■ If business or pleasure should call, 
he would say, I can not go, I must watch for my 
father, for I know not the day he will come; he 
watches all the time. 

But we had something to do besides preaching. 
Our Church was in a bad way. At our official 
meeting, one leader complained that his class had 
ceased to meet him, but still he seemed to have no 
notion of resigning. I told him I would take his 
book, and visit the whole class immediately. The 
class was made up mostly of females. Their testi- 
mony was generally to this amount: ^^We love 
class meeting; but our leader, of late, asks each 
of us if we are just ready to go to judgment. 
We answer, we can not say that we are. We love 
God, and are trying to serve him; and we believe 
that he will give us grace for that day w^hen it 
comes. He then denounces us as in the gall of bit- 
terness — lost, and undone. Such class meetings do 
us no good." At the next official meeting we made 
a faithful report, without censuring the leader. 



HAMILTON STATION. 



375 



Some of the members said they believed, if their 
class should abandon them thus, they would at once 
resign. Such talk went round, without any reflec- 
tions on the leader, till at last he grasped the idea, 
and threw up. Thus one of the latter-day saints 
was eased off without violence. 

Two of our exhorters were propagating Miller's 
doctrine, especially the annihilation of the wicked. 
We had a calm interview- with one, and, after hear- 
ing his statement, asked him if he w^as well assured 
that the doctrine was Scriptural. He said he w^as 
not as well satisfied as he wished to be on the sub- 
ject. He read many passages that seemed to favor 
it, and then he saw^ some Scriptures that seemed to 
be against it, and his own mind was not settled. 
Then, brother, do you think it safe and right to 
preach to others doctrines concerning which you 
yourself are doubtful? He said it did not seem 
right; and he would promise to desist till, after a 
longer investigation, he might be convinced the 
doctrine was of God. Thinking that, if he would 
do this, we might be able to manage the case, w^e 
went to see the other brother. He obstinately held 
to his view^s, and was zealous to convert us. We 
told him that many of the brethren were dissatis- 
fied, and perhaps some of them would call for an 
explanation at the quarterly conference, which was 
soon to be held, and then he would have an oppor- 
tunity of defining his position. At that conference, 
some of the officiary stated that there were unfa- 



376 



THE CEOSS. 



vorable reports concerning that brother's orthodoxy, 
and he rose up^ and gave an honest exposition of his 
faith, and his license was withdrawn. Then the 
first-mentioned exhorter took fire, rose to defend his 
colleague, and in so doing committed himself, and 
lost his license. They still continued in the Church, 
but stripped of their power to do harm. 

Another man, who had exercised considerable 
influence in the Church, read, in the Advocate, a 
communication under the caption of ^'The Setting 
Goose." He found out, somehow, that I was the 
author. And, although there was nothing personal 
or local in it, but merely an exhibition of the 
deathless hang-on" of Millerism, it afforded an 
opportunity, and he came to withdraw from the 
Church. We expostulated, and showed the unrea- 
sonableness of his forsaking God and the Church, 
merely because a brother, in a free country, had 
expressed an opinion contrary to his own. 0, he 
w^as not going to forsake God; he was more devoted 
than ever — loved his Bible better, because he under- 
stood it better. 

Brother, you may think so now; but let me 
tell you, you are driving fast toward the whirlpool 
of infidelity, and it will not be long before your 
Bible will be covered with dust, and you will lay it 
aside like a loathsome thing. Your family altar, 
too, will be cast down; and when you find that the 
Lord will not burn up our world at your beck and 
call, you will spurn his service." 



HAMILTON STATION. 



377 



He smiled at my simplicity, and took liis depart- 
ure. Jsevertheless, all these things came to pass. 
About three weeks before the world was to be 
burned up, the said man, supposing he saw a spec- 
ulation, traded off his property in Eossville for a 
place in Hamilton. We saw another distinguished 
disciple, about the same time, setting out fruit trees 
not much laro:er than a rattan-cane. We looked 
over his fence, and said, ^'Brother, how long will it 
be before these trees will bear fruit?" He appeared 
to be considerably nettled by the question. It is 
astonishing how people will torment a whole Church 
witji something that they themselves can not be- 
lieve ! 

They finally brought up from Cincinnati the great 
tabernacle. The people went to see it through the 
week as a curiosity, and its priests expected on the 
Sabbath to empty all the churches. But Israel 
abode in their tents, and the vast proportions of the 
tabernacle served to display more fully its discour- 
aging emptiness. The people of Hamilton Avere 
denounced as irreclaimable, and the tabernacle 
returned to its rest. In answer to one of our argu- 
ments the preacher said he frankly admitted that 
in the Apocalypse the millennium was placed before 
the day of judgment, but he could easily account 
for that. The apostles wrote on separate slips, and 
the fathers, in binding the book, had got the day of 
judgment shuffled out of its place. This was re- 
ceived with a broad grin of approbation. And v/ho 



378 



THE CKOSS. 



could withstand such intimacy with the blunders of 
the fathers? 

Through the mercy of God we got rid of this 
pestilence, and without a single expulsion. Still, 
those who were involved in this error had their re- 
lations or connection in the Church; and although 
they did not participate in their views, and some- 
times ridiculed them in the family circle, yet they 
were their kin, and they did not wish others to 
touch them. So, although my congregation was as 
large as it ever was before, and, perhaps,, has been 
since, yet I concluded that I had done a good work, 
and laid a smooth platform for a successor; so I 
earnestly entreated the presiding elder to procure 
me a circuit next year. This he did, but declared 
I should not have been removed, only on my own 
solicitation. My brother's daughter, that we had 
raised from a child — Ellen — was married and settled 
in Hamilton. We feel very much attached to the 
place, for we had many kind friends there. We re- 
gard Hamilton as one of the best stations. May the 
Lord have the people in his holy keeping ! 

MONROE. 

1844. This year we removed to Monroe, a small 
but very pleasant charge, abounding with loyal 
Methodists. Here we had the satisfaction of resid- 
ing with brother Connell, our presiding elder; and 
we became more and more attached to him as we 
became better and better acquainted. On one circuit, 



MONEOE. 



379 



where I labored, the people did not like him at first 
sight, especially when he undertook to reform their 
order in quarterly conference, which, by the by, was 
no order at all. But when his term expired they 
voluntarily passed resolutions highly eulogizing his 
character, and thankins; him for the reformation he 
had made in their councils, and for what he had 
taught them of law, order, and Methodism. Connell 
never suffered himself to kick back, but left all to 
God, conscience, and time, and he always triumphed. 

We had lars:e concrreo-ations on this circuit, crood 
meetings, great peace, but no extra revival. Monroe 
has lately become a station, and of the first order, 
we are told. It is situated in a beautiful part of 
our State. In our day they had a large Presby- 
terian connection around. 



380 



THE CEOSS 



XXX. 

PUTNAM STATION. 

1848. It was by hard traveling that I reached 
this station on Saturday evening — my goods all 
lying topsy-turvy, and my preaching tacks not on 
board. I do not know but that the people thought 
it was a slim chance. One intelligent brother said, 
^'Why, you don't look like I thought you would. 
I have read your communications in the Eepository 
and Advocate, and I had painted to myself a tall, 
slim, scholastic-looking man; but, but — " 

An old veteran, who knew me in years gone by on 
the Zanesville circuit, passed among them, and said, 
''Be still! Ill go his security." 

What a prestige! a thin man and a pair of green 
spectacles! In a few weeks the brethren began to 
draw nigh to me, and I drew nigh to them; and in 
process of time I became entirely too popular. Some 
of them, supposing I was impervious to temptation, 
would praise me to my face, and I got alarmed, and 
pressed closer to my closet and my knees, and hoped 
the Lord would not kill me or do me any harm, be- 
cause the members were so imprudent. When my 
year was out they expressed a wish for me to come 



PUTNAM STATION. 



381 



back. On this point I have always expressed my- 
self as uncertain, and as being at the disposal of the 
bishops. This perhaps made them suspicious of me; 
so two of the stewards attended Conference, and 
watched the bishops and watched me till my ap- 
pointment was fixed. When my second year was 
expiring, and in one of our last official meetings, 
one, speaking for all, said, 

'^Brother L., if our Discipline would admit it, we 
would agree with the bishops to take you for five 
years to come. You preach the Gospel in every 
sermon, and yet you have never preached two ser- 
mons alike.'' 

"When I first came on this circuit the leading 
members said they had heard I was a great disci- 
plinarian, and they wished that I would prune their 
Church, for there was great delinquency in regard 
to attending class and other matters. I told them 
this would depend in a great measure on themselves ; 
that discipline must begin with them; charges must 
originate with them. If members could not be per- 
suaded by them to attend class, they must hand me 
their names; then it would be my duty to see 
them, and if they would not reform, I would have 
to bring them to trial. They took me at my word, 
and I had enough to do. We had to lay aside 
some forty or fifty from time to time. The next 
year I read in the Advocate of a revival there. At 
this my heart rejoiced, and after a while we visited 
them. I was congratulating some of the brethren 



382 



THE CROSS. 



on the work they had had. They smiled, and said, 
'^Tes, brother, we have taken in again all you cast 
overboard, without any promise of doing better, 
and they don't attend their classes any better than 
they did before they were put out. This is the re- 
vival, with the addition of a few who never belonged.'' 

I felt in my heart, '^I have labored in vain, and 
spent my strength for naught." 

The two years spent in Putnam were unusually 
pleasant. Brother Dustin had the old charge, and 
brother Warnock the new, in Zanesville during that 
time; and we were truly a threefold cord. We had 
a social, happy time with our families. When the 
Zanesville friends invited their preachers to break 
bread, they would frequently invite us, and the 
Putnam friends would return the compliment. The 
upper room of Warnock's church being finished, it 
was determined to have a dedication. One of our 
bishops was to preach the sermon; but he sent 
word after a while that he could not come. They 
then tried to get a distinguished preacher from the 
city, but he could not come; time rolling on. So I 
supposed one of their own ministers would preach 
it. True, they had been joking, as I thought, me 
about it. A few days before — perhaps the Friday 
before — the set time, a member from Zanesville 
came over, and opening his hymn-book, pointed out 
two hymns, and said, 

^'Brother Lorrain, the sisters have selected these 
two hymns to be given out at the dedication." 



PUTNAM STATION. 



383 



''But stop, brother/' said I, ''you should carry 
them to brother Warnock or Dustin, as the case 
mav be." 

"Why? It has been given out for you to preach 
the dedication." 

I was confounded, if I know what confounded 
means. At first I was tempted to think the preach- 
ers, in view of an expected disappointment, had con- 
cluded to lay the burden on Jonah, as a scape-goat. 
But I had to say, "Down, down, busy devil, try it 
again;" for they were too good to play this game. 
So, at the time appointed, we gathered up our good 
singers to add to the choir, and all our praying 
folks followed. The music was extra, and I felt 
something like Saul, the son of Kish, under the 
melody of David's harp, and preached to the crowd- 
ed congregation. We had a mellow time, and when 
I closed, brother Brush and the trustees pitched in, 
and before the benediction was given they wiped off 
the whole debt as clean as a woman would wipe a 
dish, turning it upside down. Hush I Let me tell 
it, for I never dedicated but three houses in all my 
travel. 

Let not the reader suppose that because we mag- 
nify the kindness of the people of Putnam, that we 
never were popular before or since. We only give 
this as an example of sunshine, we have sometimes 
had our clouds and conflicts, met with oppositions 
and inflictions from members, that would make a 
pious Chinese blush; but we lay all our wrongs be- 



384 



THE CEOSS. 



fore the throne, firmly settled in the decree, Ven- 
geance is mine, and I will repay.'" And we have 
sometimes viewed with astonishment the cup of 
trembling as it has passed round. 

There is one circumstance connected with this 
station which should be mentioned, as it has a bear- 
ing on the Discipline. The Presbyterian Church in 
Putnam had generally a pious membership. They 
were closely allied to the Methodists by relationship 
and marriage connections. They had been in the 
habit, under all administrations, of communing 
with our people. For some time they had ceased 
to do so. Our people naturally inquired why they 
had discontinued communing. '^Because," said 
they, ^^your elder has never given us the accustomed 
invitation." At our next quarterly conference some 
of our leading men introduced a resolution respect- 
fully requesting the presiding elder to invite to our 
sacrament members of other Churches. The elder 
said he could not conscientiously do this, as the 
Discipline expressly showed that persons of other 
Churches could not be admitted without a token. I 
saw that a storm was gathering, and in order to 
allay it I rose and observed, '^That as it regarded 
the token, I had never seen one in my life, and 
would be altogether at a loss to make one. We had 
been told that some Churches made them out of lead ; 
but how, or with what tools, we knew not. Still, 
the presiding elder had the Discipline on his side, 
and it would be wrong to require him to go against 



PUTNAM STATION. 



386 



his conscience; but if the Discipline was altered, 
conscience would be met. ISTow, the Greneral Con- 
ference will meet in Pittsburo; before our next 
quarterly conference, and I suggest that a committee 
be appointed to petition it on the subject." This 
idea gave another turn to the matter. They ap- 
pointed a committee, and passed a resolution that 
the elder should lay the subject before all the 
quarterly conferences. I was chairman of the com- 
mittee, and drew up a paper, with as much ginger 
in it as the solemnity of the occasion could bear. 
Presently we read, in the Pittsburg daily, that a 
petition was received from Putnam in regard to the 
sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and was referred to 
a committee. Presently we read that a petition, 
counter to the above, had been remitted by the pre- 
sidino; elder. 

At last we read that the clause in the Discipline 

requiring a token, etc., had been struck out. At 

the next quarterly conference, on Saturday night, 

I reminded the elder that the token'' had been 

abolished, and our people would expect him to give 

an invitation to members of other Churches. He 

said he would not do it. After giving out several 

appointments, he said brother L. might give out his 

appointments. I invited all in good standing to 

meet us at the Lord's table on the Sabbath. They 

came, and we had a delightful communion. Now, 

if there is any credit due for flinging away that 

obsolete, or rather never-used 'Hohen^' let the 

33 



386 



THE CEOSS. 



Churcli of Putnam have her share. Did I say never 
used ? I might add, used only by some of our Bap- 
tist brethren, when they flirt it in our face, as an 
evidence of our close communion. And this they 
have done often since the rule has been repealed. 
But we can say, Ou est le papier?'^ 



ASBUEY CIRCUIT. 



387 



XXXI. 

ASBURY OIRCUIT-HARMAR STATION. 

1849. We had been kindly stationed in Putnam 
in order to recover our health; and there was a 
fine prospect of restoration. But^ at the next Con- 
ference, I was thrown on one of the most difiicult 
circuits I ever rode, and my saddle disease returned 
in all its force. In riding up one hill and down 
another, my situation in the saddle became so pain- 
ful that I often had to get down and walk. On 
one occasion I walked, and led my horse, seven 
miles through unbroken snow and mud; and, when 
I got home, felt as if I had taken my last prome- 
nade. But I made the best of it, and carried out 
a scheme which had been devised the previous year, 
and to all my other gettings I added the French 
language, so far as to find access to its literature. 
Perhaps, if I could have endured another year, I 
might have attacked the Hebrew, for my faculties 
were stretched out to their extreme tension by the 
things which I had sufi'ered. 

We had several revivals at difi^erent points, but 
had to loosen our grip of many of our spoils before 
the year was out. Indeed, in one place, we had to 
drop nearly all. The converts were of Baptist 



388 THE CEOSS. 

raisings and their relations appeared as if they 
would rather see them lost than to be united to 
the Methodists. They were most violent against 
them, and would say, ^^Wait till the ^ Old Horn' 
comes." This Avas a nickname they had given to 
their preacher — intended as a compliment — who, 
they supposed; had all the treasures of wisdom. 
When Old Horn came, he decided that they had 
not begun to know any thing about true religion; 
they had only fallen into Methodist delusion. And, 
as he piqued himself on Avit, he publicly caricatured 
Methodism, so as to place it before them in a ridic- 
ulous light. Through all this they could see his 
dishonesty, because he strongly urged them all to 
join his Church. Their high delusion would in a 
moment form an experience sufficient to introduce 
them into his Church, But they scorned his pro- 
posals, though they were driven back — some of 
them, we fear, to perdition. A number of them 
had given satisfactory evidence of a real conversion. 
And some held fast their confidence. 

"When the ^^Old Horn" had succeeded in scatter- 
ing the Baptist children, he said, with great exult- 
ation, ^^I told you so; once in grace always in 
grace." I love good Baptists, whether preachers or 
members; and it has been my lot to know many 
such. But the preachers of that part of the coun- 
try were dram-drinkers, and they were not ashamed 
of it. When they stopped at a house, the jug was 
immediately seen traveling to the grocery. One of 



ASBUEY CIECUIT. 



389 



the preacliers was heard to say he did like to take 
a dram before preaching, because it took away the 
fear of man. This same man came out to the grove 
to hear Ebenezer Chase preach on temperance. He 
stretched himself along a log, and prepared to hear 
in such a way as might indicate his contempt of 
both the preacher and the cause. Chase had occa- 
^ sion to speak of ministers who were opposed to 
temperance, and, among other things, observed, ^^'I 
have heard of a minister — not a hundred miles 
from here — who said he liked to take a dram be- 
fore preaching, because it took away the fear of 
man, which is a snare." The gentleman sprang up 
into a decent position, and his face flushed a deeper 
red; and well it might, for the eyes of the whole 
congregation were fastened on him. 

Ebenezer Chase was a Methodist preacher of the 
highest order. He was always successful; and lived 
in the aftections of the people of his charge. And 
yet some of his distant friends hardly know that he 
has, years ago, reached the haven. We are almost 
tired of reading, for successive years, the eulogies 
of our classical brethren w^ho have made good marks 
as they passed along, and are worthy of remem- 
brance; but others, whose apostolic epistles are 
scattered over all the land, are laid by almost in 
silence. The reason is, those of blue ribbon and 
green spectacles can not — and ought not — forget 
their chums; and we of the saddle-bag class ought 
to do likewise — that is, when we get a chance. So, 



390 



THE CEOSS. 



Ebenezer, Ebenezer! '^if departed spirits are per- 
mitted to review this world/' look down compla- 
cently on one with, whom thou hast taken sweet 
counsel in the days of thy pilgrimage, and accept 
this small record of thy worth. And let all who 
read say, amen. 

My colleague on this circuit was Sanford Haines, 
a very promising young married man. He emi- 
grated, next year, to Iowa, to enter on broad fields 
of future usefulness. 

We took in many members ; but, as a new circuit 
was made the year previous, we can not tell how 
many were taken from us, and consequently can 
not find what the increase was by the Minutes. 

HAEMAR STATION. 

1851. This was a beautiful town at the junction 
of the Muskingum and Ohio Elvers. It was, for 
the time being, the residence of our presiding elder, 
who was once one of the brightest boys in our 
Xenia Sunday school — Uriah Heath. The town of 
Marietta was on the opposite bank. The towns 
were subject to partial overflows occasionally; but, 
through mercy, they were exempt during our 
sojourn. We had a pretty little meeting-house, but 
the ceiling was unusually low — only a few feet 
above the pulpit. 

On a quarterly meeting occasion the house was 
closely crowded one night, and it was my lot to 
preach. The elder requested me to call up mourn- 



HAEMAE STATION. 



391 



ers before I was done. As I rose up in the vitiated 
atmosphere I felt very sensibly oppressed; I, how- 
ever, finished my sermon, and was exhorting sin- 
ners, when all at once a singular unconsciousness — 
in regard to w^hat I was saying — came over me. I 
suppose I talked ten minutes or a quarter of an 
hour, something that I could net comprehend then, 
and which I could not remember after. The 
thought struck me that I had been talking non- 
sense or something irrelevant to the occasion, and I 
sat down utterly dismayed. Mourners came up, 
and the elder carried on the meeting; but I got 
low in the pulpit, and felt greatly ashamed. When 
I got home I found that I could not remember the 
names of my near neighbors. When I learned from 
my elder that I had said nothing out of the way, 
and that he w^ondered that I staid in the pulpit, I 
felt greatly relieved in my mind. He stated that 
he had experienced the same thing occasionally. 
The doctor said it was prostration by too much 
labor and watching, and that I must rest. I was 
not able to continue the meeting, and as the elder 
w^as alone, and had to leave soon, the meeting was 
closed. A minister preached there one night, but 
just after he commenced he had to stop and order 
them to open all the windows. He believed his 
very life was in danger. 

It was while here that I published my Sea-Ser- 
mons." Brother J. F. Wright kindly undertook 
the supervision of the publication in Cincinnati. 



392 



THE CROSS. 



"When the manuscript was prepared and directed 
to its destination^ I tool^ it into an upper room, 
laid it in a chair, and kneeled down to spread it be- 
fore the Lord with all my motives and purpose; 
but as I bowed down a powerful influence almost 
pressed me to the floor, and I felt that the work 
was approved. In my travels I had clear evidences 
of the efficacy of these sermons, viva voce, and since 
their publication I have received from distant 
parts, by correspondence, testimony of their utility. 
What may be in the future is unknoAvn, but I be- 
lieve, in presenting them before the Lord, I had a 
clear spiritual indication that they were accepted. 

My motives as expressed to my fellow-men were 
these: There has been of late years a great refor- 
mation amonoc seamen. Bethels have been estab- 
lished and chaplains have been appointed in many 
ports, both at home and abroad; and many cheer- 
ing revivals have taken place. We believe that all 
this has been b}' the direction of a wise and holy 
God. When our Savior began to preach his ever- 
lasting Gospel, he chose his ministers principally 
from the sea. True, it was an inland sea — a lake; 
but still it was the sea of God's chosen nation. 
And in bringing in the latter-day glory, it should 
not be incredible that seamen should be called to 
bear an important part. 

The author of this work spent the morning of his 
life on the sea, both before and abaft the mast. 
His heart and his aff'ections still twine around his 



HARMAE STATION. 



393 



shipmates. The most lifelike dreams that come 
over him in the slumbers of the night are rigged 
in marine scenery. Then he is on board, either as 
a missionary or a sailor, but always under a sense 
of religious obligations. At such times the motions 
of the ship, the peculiar odor of the rigging, the 
saline savor of the Atlantic atmosphere, are all 
realized with vivid certainty; but he awakes, and 
finds himself securely moored by domestic associa- 
tions in the far "West. He reads of the sailors' 
happy meetings, of their bright conversions, and 
would love to mingle in their sincere and artless 
communion; but his lot forbids. While he rejoices 
in the abundant ministerial provision which is made 
for seamen while in port, he knows that their brief 
stay on land is a kind of parenthesis in their being — 
a time of extraordinary excitement — of meeting and 
greeting of friends and connections, if not a time 
of indulgences less innocent. Perhaps there is no 
time when the sailor is so accessible to the Gospel 
as when he is at home — on the mountain Avave. 
Then he is removed from many powerful tempta- 
tions, and the sober realities of life are upon him. 
Then he has opportunity, in his watches below, to 
read and meditate on religious truths. We can 
hardly look forward to any time when every vessel 
can be supplied with a living minister. These con- 
siderations have moved the author to put out this 
volume. It may serve as a pocket companion for 
the sailor. The author sends forth the book hum- 



394 



THE CROSS. 



bly imploring the God of the land and the sea to 
follow it with his blessing, and to make it useful to 
many, 

" When his poor, lisping, stammering tongue 
Lies silent in the grave." 

Soon after we left Harmar many of the leading 
members of the Church were removed by death in 
the space of a few weeks. 



FULTON STATION. 



395 



XXXII. 

FULTON STATION— QENERAL CONFER- 
ENCE. 

1852. At the time we labored here there was a 
very energetic Church. The members were well 
gifted in prayer and exhortation — male and female — 
and our large house was generally well filled. I at- 
tended always the weekly prayer meeting, and can 
not say we ever had a lifeless prayer meeting, even 
when the streets were almost impassable, and we 
were reduced to two or three. The occupation of 
the people — boat-building and kindred works — 
render the community movable and vacillating; and 
they sometimes experience sudden reverses in their 
income, but they are always generous according to 
their means. This is what God requires, and no 
more. The members were scattered about two miles 
along the river, and this made visiting very labori- 
ous. Still this was modified through the omnibuses 
that were constantly passing and repassing. It is 
moreover a place of alternate mud and dust in their 
extremes. For these reasons the preachers are not 
content to make it their abiding place, with the ex- 
ception of brother Joseph Eeeder, who is one of our 



396 



THE CROSS. 



comically good men, and who might, without irrev- 
erence, be called ^Hhe angel of the Church at Ful- 
ton;" and if the pattern should fall any way short, 
his pious and devoted wife will make it up. 

This year I had to attend the General Confer- 
ence. I confess candidly I had no ambition to grat- 
ify. Although I had been ambitious, and once 
grasped, under our political government, two offices 
at once, and panted after more, yet when I devoted 
myself to the itinerancy I renounced the spirit, and 
have ever since dodged all kinds of Church promo- 
tion. Some may think it did not require very hard 
dodging. It is my business to record my testimony, 
nevertheless. Still my heart was made glad by the 
election, because it was to me such a cheering 
demonstration of the affection of my fellow-laborers 
in the vineyard of the Lord. This was more than 
honor, or silver and gold. And then, about this 
time, I had a longing desire to revisit the sea-board, 
and especially Boston, because it was the only sea- 
port of consequence on our coast that I had not 
seen. The brethren of the Ohio Conference knew 
very well that I v/ould not thunder in the North; 
and it was a pure expression of their esteem. Let 
it be understood that we do not iind fault with those 
who desire distinguished places, because they think 
they can do more good; but we would warn them 
that the higher they climb up in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church the more thorns and briers they 
will pass through. I have never envied those who 



G E N E E A L C 0 X E E E E X C E . 



397 



are in authority, for some must be. The love of 
God throws down all distinction; and he who is 
good is my brother, whether he wears the thorny 
miter of a Methodist bishopric, or roasts his venison 
by the wild fires of the trackless prairie. 

On our way to the General Conference we left 
Cleveland about dusk, under a lowering atmosphere, 
with the lake sufficientlv rouQ;h to induce seasick- 
ness in those who were not accustomed to vovamns;. 
Late in the evening supper Vv^as set. As we had no 
idea how many hundred passengers were on board, 
at the signal given, we entered the dining-room, 
and saw a very long table crowded with eaters, and 
as many more, standing back on each side, awaiting 
their turn. Our happy forerunners ate as leisurely 
as if it had been a thanksgiving board. When they 
were shoveling; it down I thouo:ht to mvself it was 
a useless operation, especially as it regarded the 
ladies, some of whom appeared as if they had never 
seen good things before; for I believed they could 
not retain their delicious tenants — having been on 
deck taking a scientific view of the prognostications. 
When the dishes were changed, and the second sig- 
nal given, I thought I would take a reef in my usual 
gentility; so made a dash, but it was not a dash in. 
There were so many there who had been rougher 
raised than myself. At the third course I succeeded 
in sitting down, with about two hundred of the 
cream of the gentility, as I thought. 

After supper the gale freshened, and many were 



398 



THE CEOSS. 



seeking convenient stands about the gunwale where 
they might slyly throw away their fifty cents' worth ; 
others w^ere strolling about the cabin like buckeyed 
cows. After a while gagging became so fashionable 
that no one seemed to be ashamed — sovereign fash- 
ion! Some of our preachers made from three to 
seven offerings to Neptune, if he deigns to range 
through fresh-water seas. We did not, however, 
charge them with idolatry, as their sacrifices were 
unwilling. About midnight the chambermaids 
made a great fuss running up and down the stairs 
of the ladies' cabin. We asked one how matters 
went on below. She said, 0, sir, I wish you could 
see! they are scattered on the carpet, and in their 
berths, and every-where; nothing but gagging, lam- 
entation, and woe.'' But I had no craving desire 
to behold the scene. I had a hungry time in wit- 
nessing the ingress, and could dispense with behold- 
ing the outcome. At first I had some little appre- 
hension of an attack, as it had been so many years 
since I had followed the seas, and I thought there 
would be a kind of disgrace in getting seasick on a 
lake. But I had no nausea at all, and was good for 
my breakfast. So I wandered about the decks, and 
enjoyed the storm, which awakened so many remem- 
brances in my mind that I could not sleep. As night 
set in, something like the following conversation was 
heard among the hands, on the between-decks : 

We may calculate on having a greasy time be- 
fore morning." 



GENERAL CONFEEENCE. 



399 



''Why so?" 

''Why, because I never in my life sailed with a 
white horse on board without smoking for it/^ 

"You do n't say we have a white horse on this 
boat?" 

"Yes, worse still, we have two as snow-white 
creters with us as you ever clapped your skylights 
on." 

"You don't say!" 

"Well, I can give you a bit of comfort to splice 
on to that. We have about a dozen Methodist 
preachers above, if I rightly twig the cut of their 
jib, going to the Gineral Conference, as they call 
it." 

"Goola! if I had known that, this child would 
not have put his foot on board, this trip. White 
horses, and Methodist preachers! Look out, boys, 
for a rip-sneezer !" 

We could but meditate awhile on the exactness 
with which the traditions of superstition have been 
handed down from generation to generation. Sail- 
ors have been shy of ministerial passengers ever 
since Jonah was launched overboard. This super- 
stition has been cherished more by the erroneous 
doctrine that the devil has peculiar privileges with 
the wind and the sea. This they take as granted, 
without any waste of rhetoric or logic; and as they 
know that preachers meddle a great deal with his 
matters, they conclude that Old Nick would not be 
so green as to let slip a fair opportunity of making 



400 



THE GEOSS. 



them feel his wrath. If sailors would study the 
narrative of Jonah, in connection, they would see 
that the ^^Lord" — not Satan — ^^sent out a great 
wind into the sea." This is agreeable to the doc- 
trine of the Bible: ^^It is He that commandeth the 
stormy wind, that lifteth up the waves thereof." 
Moreover, Jonah was following the counsel of the 
wicked one, in attempting to flee from his duty, 
and his God; and it would be more rational to sup- 
pose that his deceiver, if he had it in his power, 
would have afforded him every facility — a fair Avind 
and smooth seas — in carrying out his flight, even 
beyond recovery. But, on the other hand, if it is 
the Lord who holds the helm of affairs on the land, 
and on the sea — blow high, or blow low — then it is 
highly unreasonable to suppose that, as a general 
thing, he will destroy his embassadors, whom he 
has so impressively sent to the perishing nations of 
the earth. Indeed, considering the multitude of 
ministers who are passing and repassing on the seas, 
instances of shipwreck are few and far between. 

The case of the lamented Cookman stands out 
from the general rule of Providence in bold contra- 
distinction. He and his shipmates sank down in 
one of the secret places of the Almighty; and the 
attendant circumstances have not yet reached the 
living. The sufferings of the crew and passengers, 
in the face of death and eternity, might have been 
sufficiently protracted to have admitted of serious 
consideration, deep contrition, and faith unfeigned; 



GENEEAL CONFEEENCE. 



401 



and, under the administrations of such an able 
preacher, the most, if not all, of the sufferers might 
have found their homes in heaven. If this was so, 
who would not say that such a great salvation was 
worthy of the sacrifice of the most unblemished of 
our flock? Who would not say that God crowned 
his seraphic ministry with a most triumphant close ? 
As the disjointed steamer makes her last plunge, 
methinks I see his released spirit bounding above 
the foaming surface of the stormy deep, and, in its 
homeward flight, carrying his last sheaves with him. 

"Servant of God, well done!" 

In the account of another steamship disaster, we 
are told that many of the passengers were preserved 
several days on the hurricane-deck. As the last 
flickerings of hope began to withdraw from their 
aching bosoms, it was asked, in all the agony of 
humbled nature, '^Is there no Christian on board 
One who had carried himself throughout the pas- 
sage with a meek and lowly bearing, but, neverthe- 
less, had his life hid with Christ in God, felt, 
doubtless, something of that responsibility that our 
Savior entertained, when the high-priest said, ^^I 
adjure thee by the living God, tell us whether thou 
be the Christ?" And he slowly rose up, and said, 
'^Friends, I am an unworthy servant of the Lord." 
Scarcely had the last word fallen from his lips, before 
he was surrounded by all the passengers, male and 
female, imploring him to pray for their wretched 



402 



THE CEOSS. 



sonls. He fell on his knees, and the grace, the 
unction, the fire of Grod's love which had been pent 
up in his swelling bosom, like the flames of a labor- 
ing volcano, burst forth in mighty irruptions of con- 
fession, intercession, and praise. Mercy and light 
came down; confidence in the providence of Grod 
sprang up; a sweet serenity lighted up every coun- 
tenance; holy purposes were formed, and the Lord, 
in answer to prayer, soon delivered them out of all 
their distress, and brought them to the desired 
haven. Thus does the Lord often afford to his 
ministers and people opportunities of working their 
passage, by the salvation of souls, without destroy- 
ing their bodies. 

At other times the Lord displays to his preachers 
his power and his glory, in forms in which they are 
no where seen but in a storm at sea, that their 
reverence may be deepened, their theology im- 
proved, their imagination corrected, their souls 
ballasted, and they better prepared to discourse of 
the attributes of the Almighty and his marvelous 
mercy to the children of men. 

In the mean time, while we admit that the super- 
stition of the sailors is fully as pious as the clair- 
voyance, prescience, and witchcraft pretendedly con- 
nected with animal magnetism and spiritual rap- 
pings, still the fog must be swept away. The 
'^angels of the waters" are abroad and are at work. 
The holy Gospel, like the mystic albatross— feared 
by the wicked, revered by the good — is shedding 



GENERAL C 0 X F E E E X C E . 



403 



its elorioiis lisrlit. And doubtless tlie time will 
come when sailors will fear carrvins; blacklea:s more 
than carrying white horses — will fear packs of cards 
more than lots of Bibles — will fear bar-keepers and 
grog-bruisers more than Methodist preachers. Yea, 
in the storm and in the calm, in life and in death, 
thev will know that all thincfs shall work too:ether 
for good to them who love the Lord; to them who 
are the called according to his purpose. 

We pushed on toward Boston, expecting the city 
was looking hard for us, as they had never had a 
General Conference before: but when we put up at 
our tavern we found no one knew, either the tav- 
ern-keeper, lodgers, or attaches, where the Confer- 
ence was to be held, or whether there was any such 
thing as a General Conference. AVe looked sur- 
prised at them, and they looked back, surprised at 
our surprise. The tavern lodged, but did not feed 
travelers. We o;ot neat rooms, and were told that 
whenever we felt like eating, there was a separate 
establishment below, where we might be accommo- 
dated. This was found to be a 2:reat advantasce. 
We were not obliged to pay for things we never 
ate. We might breakfast at any hour from sun- 
rise to noon; and dine any hour from noon to 
night. If we had no appetite we might omit 
breakfast, or dinner, or supper, or all three. We 
might eat cheap things, or things costly, and we 
made up the opinion, if a man only has where to 
lay his head, he may live cheaper in Boston than he 



404 



THE CEOSS. 



can any wliere else — in town or country; but he 
must pay as he goes — no chance to swindle a week's 
board. We, however, soon found our allotted 
homes. It was my good providence to be placed 
in a pious, intelligent, social family of the name of 
Chandler. It is astonishing to myself that, in the 
course of four or five weeks, I should have formed 
such a tender attachment to a family I had never 
seen before. But they have ever since had a place 
in the catalogue of my friends and relatives. 

On my first Sabbath it was in my way to prom- 
enade the wharves. I can not express the tran- 
quillity that pervaded my whole being, as I snuff'ed 
up the most pleasant of all earth's effluvium — the 
aroma of the shipping; and as I turned a corner 
where a large anchor — best bower — was planted in 
the earth, I slapped its flukes with my hand with 
so much afi'ection and faith unfeigned, that it rasped 
my whole constitution, and almost made me dance 
Juba, as the negroes say ; and tears of fond remem- 
brance rolled down my cheeks. I preached in Bos- 
ton and East Boston; but the happiest Sunday I 
had was at Scituate, a place principally peopled 
with sailors or those in connection with the sea. 
Here, standing on a gentle hill, the whole coast 
to my right could be seen almost to Cape Cod, 
while before me spread out the blue sea. Vessels, 
large and small, were coming in and going out, and 
scenes of by-gone days swept over my mind, and 
all the remembrances of youth beckoned me out; 



GENERAL CONFERENCE. 



405 



but my anchor was cast in the West. How strange 
it is that the pleasurable excitements of the sea are 
engraved on our mind^ while its disasters and toils 
have perished in the wake! This was also a day 
of unusual religious enjoyment with my self; and I 
believe with every body else. 

The most exciting question of this General Con- 
ference was the pew question. Our readers all 
know the result. Whether it was in consequence 
of the unusually-long railroad ride, or sedentary 
work, or a return to our old delicious diet — ovsters 
and fish — I know not, I was extremely sluggish, 
and, under commonplace debate, inclined to doze. 
One day the brethren were debating about a bishop 
for Africa. The great concern with them seemed 
to be the fatality of the climate and the danger a 
bishop would run in landing on the coast. We had 
to listen to, what seemed to me, exaggerated ac- 
counts of that horrid strip of earth, till I became 
somewhat torpid and overpowered with something 
which was part dreamy, part fanciful, and part a 
morbid invention of the mind; and methought I 
saw an American packet, backing and filling on the 
coast of Africa. Then I saw a native pirogue come 
out, and a letter sent on shore, announcing the 
arrival of a Methodist bishop. I looked and beheld 
a procession of colored brethren embark in a coast- 
er, and making for the packet she laid her bowsprit 
on the taff'erel of the ship. Then I saw the candi- 
dates shin out on the bowsprit, while the bishop 



406 



THE CROSS. 



touched their heads with the longest boat-hook on 
board, and said, ^^Take thou authority/' etc. Then 
the captain cried out, ^^Fill away, boys! tail up for 
Boston, the land of immortality and life, where 
bishops never die!" I thought how many blas- 
phemous sinners, for the mere sake of gain, had 
explored the sickly rivers and putrefying fens of 
Africa to steal or buy negroes, and had returned in 
safety; and yet how doubtful we were about trust- 
ing a bishop there for one week to do the work of 
Grod! I was roused by indignation, and felt like 
saying, if I could have slipped in a word, which I 
could not, '^Mr. President, I do not desire the 
office of a bishop — if I did, it would be no sin, as it 
is a good work — but if it could be made consistent 
with our constitution to make me simply a nuncio 
for six months, I will go to Africa, sit one week in 
Conference, and ordain the preachers, and come 
back, or Mary Lorrain shall be left a widow on the 
banks of the Belle Riviere^ 

The Conference being over we returned with 
astonishing rapidity. At Buffalo I took a carriage 
in the evening, in the midst of a thunder-storm, for 
the steamer. A gentleman and his wife were with 
me. I never heard a woman pray harder than she 
did for her husband to wait till the next day. She 
wept and declared that they were going as to the 
slaughter. I could not blame her in view of the 
ragged lightning and bursting thunder, that were 
playing over our heads; but he told her that she 



GENEEAL CONFEEENCE. 



407 



was asking what was impossible, his trunks and 
money were all on board. We got on board and 
put out on the dark lake, in the hight of the storm. 
After we had cleared the pier I went down in the 
cabin. A preacher put his head out of a berth, 
and said, 

^^0, here is brother Lorrain! I am so glad you 
are come! Now I feel safe!" 

'^Brother," said I, ^^look here, don't pin your 
faith on my sleeve. The Lord could drown me as 
easy as any one on board." 

^^Yes," said he, ^^but you know how to manage 
the thing." 

I told him the boat was under the supervision of 
the captain, and if he chose to drive her to ruin, I 
would not rise in mutiny; but he need not be 
alarmed, all was well. We soon resumed the cars, 
and got to home — sweet home. 

I found that, in my absence, the spirit-rappers 
had invaded my territory; but by the help of the 
Lord, we soon laid them as far as the Church was 
concerned. We had good times and large congre- 
gations the whole year. The Lord bless Fulton, 
and supply them with men of warm hearts and 
sound minds! 



408 THE CEOSS- 

XXXIII. 
BETHEL CAUSE. 

1853-54. Having been solicited, for several 
years, to take an active part in the Western Sea- 
men's Friend Society/' I at last consented. The 
principal work assigned me was to edit the West- 
ern Pilot/' a paper exclusively devoted to the Soci- 
ety. This work I attended to industriously for 
two years, attending to all the work — packing and 
directing to upward of two thousand subscribers. 
My Sabbath work was to assist the chaplain at the 
floating Bethel, and to travel, preach on the subject, 
make collections, and gather subscribers. I was 
first solicited by brother Thomas Cooper to engage 
in this work. He was a young minister of extra- 
ordinary promise. 

There is an opinion which is entertained by some 
good members of the Church, which should be cor- 
rected. It is thought that the Bethel cause is a 
novelty — one of the eccentric experiments which 
the nineteenth century, fruitful in theories, has 
rolled up; and that its results are of doubtful dis- 
putation. This view is very erroneous. Our enter- 
prise is coexistent with Christianity itself. The 
great High-Priest of our profession was, emphat- 



BETHEL CAUSE. 409 

ically speaking, a Betliel minister. The ordinary 
arena of liis labor was tlie sea-sliore. He wlio reads 
the Xew Testament, keeping this assertion in sight, 
will be surprised in noticing how much of our 
Lord s ministry was about the lakes. Indeed, he 
admitted it himself, in that solemn warning that he 
gave to the towns and cities on their borders. He 
made occasional excursions to Jerusalem, and else- 
where; but we soon trace him back again to the 
waters; and it is said, "And he began again to 
teach by the seaside.'' He began again — that is, he 
returned to his accustomed field of labor. 

Now, we contend that this course — singular as it 
was — was most reasonable; and that it is no new 
thing to preach on the sea-shore, or on the boats 
and wharves. In all ages, the seas and the water- 
courses have been in advance in wickedness, and 
usually tend to corrupt more deeply the land; 
therefore, there was both mercy and wisdom in our 
Savior's labors to save first those who were nearest 
to ruin. The prophet Esaias saw this beginning of 
the Gospel, where he said, ^^The land of Zebulon, 
and the land of Xapthalim, by the way of the sea, 
beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: the people 
that sat in darkness saw great light; and to those 
which sat in the region and shadow of death, light 
has sprung up." The waters still have a tendency 
to corrupt the world, and will have till their 
streams are purified by grace. "W^hen we send a 
missionarv to heathen lands, he not only preaches 



410 



THE CEOSS. 



the incomparable doctrines of the Gospel, but insists 
upon their purifying power. He shows that Chris- 
tian faith works by love, and produces practical 
holiness in those who believe. But presently a ship 
comes into port bearing the flag of some Christian 
nation. The natives now expect to see a community 
of living saints. But when they see some of the 
crew staggering along the beach, under the influ- 
ence of intoxicating drink; when they see others 
engaged in strife and bloody rows ; w^hen they see 
others invading their family peace, corrupting the 
youth, and spreading disgusting contagion through 
their community; and above all, when they hear 
the name of Christ, which the missionary has taught 
them to venerate, blasphemed by those whom they 
suppose to be his professed followers, their hopes 
sink within them, and they begin to conclude that, 
whatever may be the claims of the Gospel as a 
theory, it is w^orthless in its results — and they cling 
w^ith renewed tenacity to their old and time-hon- 
ored superstitions. 

We once heard a converted Indian telling a large 
congregation of the dampening influence that the 
conduct of wicked white men had on him, even 
after he had admitted the truth of the Gospel, and 
was earnestly seeking its consolations. But he ob- 
served that in traveling through our settlements, he 
had become satisfied on that point. He met with a 
goodly number who practiced the virtues that his 
missionary had preached; and he found that among 



BETHEL CAUSE. 



411 



both the white folks and Indians, it was only those 
who obeyed the Gospel of Jesus Christ who felt its 
power. But if we confine our observations to our 
Western waters, who does not see their corrupting 
inflnence? Why is it that wickedness prevails so 
much more in our lake or river ports, than it does 
in our rural or inland villages ? Why is it that in 
our great commercial cities the nearer you approach 
our water streets, or wharves, the deeper you de- 
scend among the haunts of sin? Here they have 
their grog-shops, their screens, their brothels, and 
unless the tide of iniquity, on the waters, is staid, 
it will grow with the growth, and strengthen with 
the strength of our ever-swelling population. In- 
deed, when we look at the great marts of Europe, 
such as London and Liverpool, we find whole streets 
and alleys abandoned by the reputable, and given 
up to dissipation, lasciviousness, and wantonness; and 
over these dreary wastes no Sabbath shines. Why 
should we w^onder that Christ began, and continued 
during his mission, to preach on the sea-shore? 
Why should we call this a new enterprise? 

As it regards the results, they can not be of 
doubtful cast; for our Savior was successful. The 
people heard him gladly. They followed him up 
and down, and around the coast, and frequently so 
pressed upon him, that he had to enter into vessels, 
in order to address the immense crowd that covered 
the landing. When he entered into a house, it was 
blockaded beyond ingress or egress. Many believed, 



412 



THE CEOSS. 



and the Church of Christ was built up. He drew the 
principal part of his apostles from the sea. When 
the proud Pharisees said they were ignorant and 
unlearned men, they meant no more than that they 
were not scientific, or what we in our day would 
call classical men. They doubtless had some educa- 
tion, and were men of sound mind, good judgment, 
bland disposition, and well furnished with natural 
gifts, necessary to the ministry. They were the 
best men, all things considered, that could be 
selected out of the Christian Church at that time; 
and that Church was a Bethel. Our Lord did not 
mean to reflect on sanctified learning; for as soon 
as the Church could afford it, he added to them 
Saul of Tarsus, who helped them mightily. Our 
Lord began on the sea, and we have no doubt he 
w^ill end there; for sailors are eminently calculated 
to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. We 
do not mean altogether as ministers proper. We 
know that well-educated ministers are necessary to 
head our missions; but God has reserved to himself 
great missionary power in the membership. An 
apostle says of them, You are a chosen generation, 
a royal priesthood f Saul did, unintentionally, 
great good while he was persecuting the saints; for 
then the brethren were scattered every-where — but 
as they went they preached Jesus and the resurrec- 
tion. These were laymen; for we are told that the 
apostles stood their ground. God sent the member- 
ship — driving them before a gale of persecution. 



BRTHEL CAUSE. 



413 



So God will send converted sailors to be, under 
Christ, for salvation to the ends of the earth. He 
will send them by the force of circumstances, by 
love to their families, by a sense of the duty of 
providing for their own, by an undying attachment 
to their profession, on voyages the most distant and 
adventurous, and wherever they touch they will 
leave a savor of life unto life. A learned ministry 
will have the advantage in some respects — the 
sailor-laity in others. Sailors are physically supe- 
rior; they have passed through all kinds of calms 
and storms, sunshine and frost, and their constitu- 
tions have become acclimated to every latitude. 
They will not stand before the heathen with eyes 
almost destroyed by the midnight lamp, and each 
with a pair of green spectacles on his nose. They 
will not whisper with a voice rendered almost in- 
audible by pulmonary weakness; but standing on 
the uncovered deck, will lift up their voice like a 
trumpet, and show the people their transgression, 
and the idolatrous natives their sins. Again, sailors 
are superior in experience. The learned minister is 
needed, and so is the experienced layman. Those 
who are educated for the ministry go into the col- 
lege about seventeen or eighteen years of age. 
They come out in ripened manhood. All this 
brightest part of their lives they have been ex- 
cluded, in a measure, from the world; and what do 
they know of men, matters, and things? It is not 
so with the adventurous Christian sailor. He has 



414 



THE CROSS. 



been compelled to study human nature, in all its 
eccentric windings. He lias marked it in its various 
working, in different positions, and under multiform 
circumstances; and he is able to pencil down the 
sinner's presumptuous cruise, with all its traverse 
sailing, backing and filling, and to rout him out of 
every hidden cove, and refuges of lies, till his sins 
become hateful, and he flies from himself to a sin- 
pardoning God. 

But what do we mean by thus magnifying our 
work? Do we mean that the voice of the Lord is 
heard only on the waters, and that our brethren 
of the interior should forsake their comfortable 
tabernacles, and come down to pray with us on the 
sea-shore? No; but we do mean to battle the idea 
that our undertaking is a new thing. When some 
are solicited to lend a hand, they look wondrously 
wild, and say, ^^Why, brother, this is a new thing. 
We have never heard of it before; it has not been 
spread before our people before, and we must take 
time to consider." What! have we never heard of 
Christ preaching on the shores of Galilee; of his 
being pressed by the multitudes so as to be driven 
on board a ship, and being put to the necessity of 
shoving off from the shore and dropping anchor, lest 
the vessed should be swamped by the multitude 
crowding to hear the Word of Life? Have we 
never heard of his crossing and recrossing the lake, 
of the sailing, and rowing, and racing of vessels and 
boats to overtake him in his itinerant career? 



BETHEL CAUSE. 



415 



Have we never heard of his excursion to the sea- 
coast of Tyre and Sidon? Indeed, the greater part 
of the Gospel scenery is laid about the sea and the 
adjoining coasts. And we claim that the Bethel 
work is not ncAV, as far as its essence is concerned. 
Then we claim that no cloud of uncertamty can rest 
upon the result. Our Lord did not labor as one 
beating the air — a great company believed. The 
Bethel ministers do not now spend their strength 
for naught. Where is the Church in Boston that is 
accomplishing more than the mariners' Churches? 
Where is the Church that is doing more permanent 
good than the Norwegian Bethel and others in New 
York? Here in the West much has been done on 
the lakes, the rivers, the canals, and much more 
will be done when the means of the Seamen Friend 
society become more ample. But the crowning argu- 
ment on this head — that which should SAveep away 
every vestige of mist from all minds — is the declara- 
tion of the Bible. 

'^The abundance of the sea shall be converted 
unto thee." Here that which is the duty of our 
citizens is also their interest, and should, therefore, 
be their delio-ht — the reg-eneration of our waters is 
the salvation of the land. The bread that is cast 
upon them will be found after many days. 

The character of the sailor is but partially under- 
stood by the bulk of mankind, especially that por- 
tion of it that dwells in the interior districts. 
When the sailor comes rolling along through the 



416 



THE CROSS. 



country^ he is regarded as a rare curiosity. His 
language^ his g?at^ his habitudes are closely scanned; 
and his manner of operating, although generally 
founded on the true philosophy of things, and con- 
sequently strictly correct, is often a subject-matter 
of ridicule. But Jack smiles at their botheration 
in coiling against the sun, is diverted at their com- 
ing down their scuttles face foremost, instead of 
bear-fashion, laughs heartily at their granny-knots, 
and passes on in perfect good-humor. It is, more- 
over, thought by m.any that, 'bating the dangers 
and occasional disasters to which seamen are ex- 
posed, their vocation is one of extraordinary pleas- 
ure and indolence. It is true that there are times 
and seasons when the profession is pleasant and 
even fascinating; but this state of things is liable 
to sudden and grievous interruptions. The sailor 
expects them, and his mind is at all times braced 
sharp up for a sudden transition from a state of rest 
and ease to labors the most arduous and sufferings 
the most extreme. Indeed, there is something in 
the unparalleled and terrific grandeur of the strip- 
ping gale, in connection with the pride of profes- 
sion, that makes the sailor's heart swell with bound- 
less ambition. And when the seas and skies appear 
to be tumbled into lawless and sublime confusion, 
he feels glad that he is there, and is proud to 
consider himself a necessary item in the driving 
tempest. Then it is that he is prepared for deeds 
of mighty daring. We doubt, indeed, whether 



BETHEL CAUSE. 



417 



there is any thing in all the pomp of war, the 
rattling of the martial drum, the clangor of the 
rousing trumpet, the roaring of cannon, the moment- 
ous vibrations of mighty empires poised in the 
scales of battle, Avhich can rouse the ambition of 
mortal man, as the warrino^ elements and rushino-, 
white- crested billows rouse the ambition of the 
sailor. 

"With such mad seas the daring Gama fonght 
For many a day, and many a dreadful night, 
Incessant, laboring round the stormy Cape." 

There are often severe hardships endured in the 
ordinary merchant-service. We have been some- 
times, for weeks off the coast of America, contend- 
ing with driving gales, and adverse winds, accom- 
panied with alternate showers of rain and snow; 
compelled to shift our clothes till not a dry garment 
could be found in the forecastle. In the mean time 
the wind would fall and rise continually, so as to 
keep the hands employed all the time in making 
and taking in sail. Often have we retired from the 
watch with our clothes soaking wet, tumbled, ex- 
hausted, into the berth, and under our friendly 
blankets, we have soon fallen into a delightful 
hydrological sweat; but still tormented with the 
idea that every moment we might hear the cry of 
'^all hands ahoy!" Avhile the inciisputable certainty 
of having to bundle up at the expiration of four 
hours, diffused its bitterness through all our dreams. 
But what is all this in comparison with the suffer- 



418 



THE CEOSS. 



ings endured in other departments of sea service- — 
the exploring expeditions? True, these are few and 
far between, and are sometimes of fatal termination ; 
their distress, perhaps, far exceeding the fancy of 
a British poet, although that is sufficiently doleful : 

" Miserable they ! who, here entangled in the gathering ice, 
Take their last look of the descending sun, 
While, full of death, and fierce with tempest frost, 
The long, long night, incumbent o'er their heads, 
Falls horrible. Such was the Briton's fate, 
As with first prow — what have not Britons dared? — 
He for the passage sought, attempted since 
So much in vain, and seeming to be shut 
By jealous Nature with eternal bars, 
In these fell regions — in Arzina caught, 
And to the stormy deep his idle ship 
Immediate sealed, he with his hapless crew. 
Each full exerted at his several task. 
Froze into statues ; to the cordage glued 
The sailor, and the pilot to the helm." 

Multitudes engaged in the whale-fisheries pass 
through labors more severe, sufferings as intense. 
We have been speaking of the enterprise and pro- 
verbial endurance of seamen in general, without 
regard to national distinction. The Dutch, at an 
early period, were preeminent in naval enterprise. 
The English, at a later day, became famous. But 
we must say it — and we likely would say it, if only 
an emigrant of yesterday on these shores — that 
American seamen, in this day, are rather in ad- 
vance of all others in point of enterprise and marine 
daring. 

As early as the year 1775, the Americans had 



BETHEL CAUSE. 



419 



more ships engaged in whaling than England, 
France, and Holland combined. Four thousand 
American sailors were then employed in this work. 
Mr. Burke, in speaking of the colonies in that day, 
holds this highly-complimentary language : 

''Look at the manner in which the people of 
Isew Eno^land have of late carried on the whale- 
fishery, While we follow them amons; the tremblins; 
mountains of ice, and behold them penetrating into 
the deepest recesses of Hudson's Bay and Davis's 
Straits, while we are looking for them beneath 
the Arctic circle, we hear that they have pierced 
into the opposite region of polar cold — that they 
are at the antipodes, and engaged under the frozen 
Serpent of the South. Falkland Island, which 
seemed too remote and romantic an object for the 
grasp of national ambition, is but a stage and rest- 
ing-place in the progress of their victorious indus- 
try. Xor is the equatorial heat more discouraging 
to them than the accumulated ^\^inter of both the 
poles. We know that, while some of them draw 
the line and strike the harpoon on the coast of 
Africa, others run the longitude, and pursue their 
gigantic game along the coast of Brazil. Xo ocean 
but what is vexed with their fisheries — no climate 
that is not witness to their toils. ISTeither the per- 
severance of Holland, nor the activity of France, 
nor the dexterous and firm sagacity of English en- 
terprise ever carried this perilous mode of hardy 
enterprise to the extent to which it has been pushed 



420 



THE CROSS. 



by tliis recent people — a people who are still, as it 
were, in the gristle, and not yet hardened into the 
bone of manhood." 

The American sailor is also superior in naval 
warfare. We do not mean that he is hardier or 
more fearless than the British tar. It is enough, 
in these particulars, that the children be as their 
fathers. But there are circumstances of national 
usages and complexion that raise the American 
above his fellows, as there are peculiarities that 
damp the ardor of the English man-of-war's man. 

First. The latter is generally in a forced service. 
The merchantman sailor returns from the East or 
"West Indies with his well-earned shiners in his fob. 
He hears that the press is hot, and, with all the 
stealthy caution of a runaway slave, he attempts, 
perhaps under cover of night, to reach his happy 
home; but often, in sight of his own cottage lights, 
he is seized by an unfeeling press-gang, and hurried 
on board a tender. There are no family circum- 
stances, however tender, that can move compassion 
in the bosom of his captors. He is taken into serv- 
ice; and when the day of battle comes, his sailor 
hardihood, the severity of the service, the force be- 
fore, the force behind equalize what of fear may re- 
main, and he faces the dreadful music, but feels but 
little concern as it regards the victory or the defeat. 

With the American sailor it is otherwise. His 
may be called voluntary service. True, he may 
have taken the bounty while half-seas-over ;" but 



BETHEL CAUSE. 



421 



lie lays the principal part of tliat indiscretion to 
himself, and soon makes up his mind to bear up for 
the two-year service. He goes on board with a full 
determination to sustain the honor of his flag; and 
in the day of trial he fights desperately. 

Second. The English service is generally cruel 
and degrading, to a proverb. The frequent music 
of the lash brutalizes the unhappy sufferers till the 
dignity of manhood is all gone. Their pride of 
country is drained drop by drop, till their blood 
refuses to redden their brow at the sight of an ap- 
proaching frigate. How can it be otherwise ? Who 
can be proud of a country that delights to make 
the long furrows of slavery on his back? Indeed, 
they can not repress the idea that their worst ene- 
mies are those of their own ship. They stand, and 
go through all the evolutions of a battle, of course; 
but they care not how soon the cannons cease to 
roar, and they are permitted to enjoy the hospital- 
ities of prisoners of war. There is less barbarity in 
our navy, and our men are not so deeply degraded. 
So far as we copy the example of England in this 
respect, it only works evil to our service. 

The voluntary entrance of our seamen, the short- 
ness of the service, the mildness of discipline, all 
conspire to buoy them up in their place; so that 
each man, in the tumult of battle, not only obeys 
the orders of his officers, but, so far as may be 
consistent with them, exercises his own personal 
knowledge and skill in dealing his blows on the 



422 



THE GKOSS. 



enemy, so that lie is soon dismantled, and compelled 
to strike. There is much in this. Officers might 
give orders for every thing to be done, which might 
lead to a favorable result; but, after all, the man- 
ner of doing them is more than half the battle. 
We know that the fear of disgrace, or the lash, 
might make things move like clock-v/ork on board 
a frigate, but then the movement is servile, and not 
intelligent — an empty parade, destitute of that pa- 
triotism that swells the freeman's breast. It would 
be an easy matter for a slave, at the word of com- 
mand, to point a cannon, and for another to apply 
the match; but American sailors, at the word of 
command, not only point the gun and apply the 
match, but they do all as experienced engineers who 
feel an interest in the result. 

The Last War with England, although short, 
demonstrated the superior tact of our sailors in 
naval combat. Our Government, doubtless, glories 
in the fact. But would it not add additional luster 
to our stars, if it could be said that, while Ameri- 
can sailors excel in valor, in skill, in patriotism, 
they excel also in civility, in morality — yea, in pure 
and undefiled religion? Many in our merchant 
service have availed themselves of the watch below 
in improving their original stock of knowledge. 
Others, who were supremely ignorant, have learned 
to read. What might be done in our navy, by way 
of training our seamen in all that is great and glo- 
rious ! 



COLLEGE AGENCY. 



423 



XXXIV. 

COLLEOE AGENCY— MILFORD AND BA- 
TAVIA CIRCUITS. 

COLLEGE AGENCY. 

1855. We received an appointment as Agent for 
the Hillsboro Female College. As we were entering 
on this work some of the banks in Cincinnati broke, 
and many of the citizens of Highland county had 
deposited their money in them. This gave us a 
considerable backset. The first thing that struck 
me was, that the town people had not given the 
enterprise as generous a heading as they ought to 
have done. Of this the county complained, and we 
made known their complaints. At a subsequent 
meeting the citizens liberally enlarged their sub- 
scriptions, and we w^ent forth with more boldness. 

I felt a very deep interest in the institution, and 
thought that it would become the most famous of 
all our female schools. A preacher will say, ^^Yes, 
every brother thinks — for the time being — that his 
own appointment is the great work; and it is well 
that he can so think." We have, however, reasons 
above all this. The location is perhaps unparal- 
leled in point of health. "We still hope that the 



424 



THE CEOSS* 



embarrassment of the institution will be, by some 
means, thrown off, and that it will rise up to the 
high destiny of which it is worthy. The subscrip- 
tion, when handed to me, amounted to about four 
thousand, six hundred dollars. That year, b}^ en- 
largement of old subscriptions, and additional sub- 
scriptions, and shares sold, it was increased to about 
twelve thousand dollars. Although I helped at Con- 
ference to thank a brother for raising four hundred 
dollars for another school, by a rising vote, yet I 
was blessed — I expected nothing of this kind; and 
I got nothing. I never could understand why a 
Conference should thank an agent for doing the 
w^ork assigned him, any more than they should 
thank a preacher for doing the work of a circuit. 
It is not in harmony with our theological hym- 
nology— 

" 0 that each in the day of his coining may say, 
I have fought my way through; 
I have finished the loork thou didst give me to do." 

Indeed, it is hardly in keeping with our prosaic 
faith, if we hold to Wesley, who said, Learning is 
good, but saving souls is better." Still the agent 
- may do this. We attended several large meetings — 
one in particular, where we made a good haul for 
the College, and where, we humbly hoped, we helped 
to save souls. If we did, we trust the Lord has 
recorded it. 

I pretty well explored the county, sold a number 
of shares, and got many promises for the future; 



MILFOED CIKCUIT. 



425 



some of whicli I might have realized by continuing 
in that work, but my tenacious disorder forbade. 
So, in order to better my condition in regard to 
laborious riding, I — ^ ^jumped out of the frying-pan 
into the fire/' 

MILFOED CIECUIT. 

1856. We have a warm feeling for this circuit, 
because there are many of the members who have a 
just regard for temperance and all Christian graces. 
And those of them who have been unfortunately 
involved in the still-commerce, are in other respects 
good Methodists. They are warmly attached to our 
doctrines and usages, and firm defenders of our gov- 
ernment, and in no instance have they risen in op- 
position to the Episcopacy. 

They are strong against the frivolous fashions of 
the day, and seem as if they would die in defense 
of the customs of the fathers. Nevertheless, the 
chief labor of their lives has been in sustaining the 
distillery. And while they continue to do so, there 
is a part of the community who will never embark 
the welfare of their souls in the Methodist Church. 
"We may have, from year to year, an ingathering 
of attaches of the distillery, or of Sunday school 
children, who have from infancy seen the dark col- 
umn of smoke rolling over their heads, as regularly 
as the sun, and have never questioned its origin or 
end. And we are glad that such are accessible. 
But we will never assume that high position there 



426 



THE CROSS. 



which the early organization of that society de- 
serves, till the Church washes her hands of that 
iniquity. It has ever been a rule in our ministry 
to preach against the special sins of that division 
of the work to which we have been appointed. 
What would it avail to preach on the Blue Eidge 
against a sin of some seaport — say smuggling— or 
to preach in Vermont against the sin of raising 
Indian corn for the distilleries? I can not conceive 
of the feeling of the minister who can serve a 
Church a whole year, and never touch on a beset- 
ting sin in that Church. 

"When I came to the circuit it was a serious ques- 
tion with me, What must I doT' I saw clearly 
that among a people who seemed, in many important 
points, to love Methodism, I could shape my course 
so as to be acceptable, if not popular. But could 
I take this course and clear my skirts? I finally 
concluded before the Lord to do my duty, if it 
brought me on short allowance. Still I intended to 
defer my battle till the people had got well ac- 
quainted with me; for I believed I had some good 
points as well as they. 

In the mean time Thanksgiving day was ap- 
proaching, and a brother requested me to give no- 
tice that there would be preaching on that day. I 
asked him who would preach. He said, Never 
mind; somebody will." So I gave it out, supposing 
he was going to get some one from the city; When 
the day arrived there were at first very few at the 



M I L F 0 E D C I E C U I T . 



427 



meeting-liouse. I said, '''Brother, you will have a 
small congregation to preach to." 

^^Yoii must preach." 
I had rather not. You never told me that it 
v^'as expected for me to preach; and, besides, the 
occasion, thanksgiving ^ might lead me to sav some- 
thing that might hurt the good feelings of some." 

'^0, never fear. AVe are a people who can not 
be hurt, if you preach the truth." 

^'God forbid we should preach any thing else!" 

Presently we had a large congregation, and nearly 
all those of the traffic. They listened with the most 
profound attention, although I touched upon the sins 
of the nation, and especially drunkenness; for they 
love to see the drunkard, as a poor, singed goat, 
bear off the iniquity. But, toward the close, I 
called their attention to the thanksgiving. This 
was not the sermon; indeed, in many places, no 
sermon was preached. The thanksgiving is in the 
devotional exercises to follow. We must acknowl- 
edge the great mercies of God— bewail our misim- 
provement — promise for the future. I then observed 
that I was at a great loss about framing a prayer 
suitable to all present, for two classes are here; 
and, after a pause, said, I believe I Avill make two 
prayers. Then each member may make his choice, 
and carry it home. The first prayer might be 
something like this: ^'0 Lord, we acknowledge our 
great obligations to thank thee for the mercies of 
the past year — a year of unusual plenty. Our pas- 



428 



THE CROSS. 



tures are green and luxurious; our bottoms are 
bursting up with potatoes ; plenty reigns around us. 
We see it is our duty, after providing for our own 
household, to be generous to the poor, to sustain the 
missions, the Bible, Sunday school, and tract socie- 
ties, and to do all the good we can with our abundant 
means. Amen, and amen." The other might run 
thus: ^^0 Lord, it has been a year of uncommon 
plenty. Our bottoms are crowded with corn, and 
all the fruits of the earth are abundant. We feel 
grateful, and mean to apply these blessings as we 
have ever done. We will haul our wood to the 
furnace, and our corn to the great crib, and help 
to stir up the fires of the distillery; and we will 
send down such a stream of blue-ruin as we have 
never raised before. We know that, in so doing, 
we will have a hard row to hoe; our own sons may 
get to crooking their elbows too often. Then 
friends, family, and fortune will ail go; then will 
come delirium tremens, insanity, death — ^and, last 
of all, the drunkard's hell; but we will say, with 
Hezekiah, ' truth and peace will be in our day. ' 
Nay-men, and nay-men. 

About six months after, some said my last prayer 
did not suit them. But I told them, whether it 
suited them or not, they had fulfilled all that I had 
promised the Lord for them. They had carried all 
their corn and wood to the distillery, and, in so 
doing, they had chosen that prayer. From that 
time to the close of the year, I paid due attention 



MILFOED CIBCUIT, 



429 



to the northern institution. Stilly brother Fitch 
and myself took in about seventy-five new members 
on the circuit. We presented the following report 
on the subject of Temperance^ at Conference: 

Your Committee are compelled to admit^ that^ of 
late^ there has been an increasing declension of the 
general temperance reformation. It is no uncommon 
thing now to see' what has seldom been seen for the 
last twenty years — the sparkling and seducing de- 
canter, unvailed, in our wedding and social parties, 
and ladies, yet in their teens, sipping, with shame- 
less sang froid, what would craze a genuine teeto- 
taler. In our national anniversaries and public 
banquets the old, barbarous custom of toasting 
ourselves sick, out of tender regard for the health 
of others, is greatly reviving; and the more scien- 
tifically liquors have been analyzed, and the more 
nakedly their ingredients have been turned up to 
the noonday sun, the more thirsty the intemperate 
seem for the ruinous draught. Our post-offices — 
the purity of which ought to be dear to every 
American citizen — are thrown too often into grog- 
geries and dens of drunkenness, where females and 
children can not approach without being exposed to 
blasphemies and sickening exhibitions of human de- 
pravity. Our Church has always cooperated with 
every institution laboring to establish national and 
social Temperance in our land; but during the 
whole fight we have not nedected our own con- 



430 



THE CROSS. 



cern — the lodge of Methodism — so that, notwith- 
standing the increase of our membership, we have 
at this time less to do with intoxicating spirits 
than we ever had. 

With great delight we state that the cause of 
Temperance in the Methodist Episcopal Church has 
been continuous, onward, onward, from our organ- 
ization. 

"Bent on purpose grand and glorious, 
Her banners move in course victorious." 

The experience of many years has confirmed us 
in the doctrine, that the religious reformation of 
the drunkard is the most reliable — the most per- 
manent. Lorenzo Dow used to say that there were 
but two specifics in the case: one was to put an 
eel in a quart of rum, and drink generously; the 
other was the grace of God. We never had any 
faith in his eel-bounce; but the grace of God we 
can label, Tried.'' 

We know of only one medium now in connection 
with the Church and still-house: '^That corn!" 0, 
that corn! Some of our folks are still engaged in 
that wicked and disreputable commerce. Our 
brethren who may not have been thrown where 
Satan's choice seats are may not be initiated into 
the modus operandi. As soon as you approach 
such a place, the black temple of Copper Nosey 
looms up, like nothing else but the back door of 
hell. As you advance you will encounter a toper 
in almost every square, all in different stages of 



MILFOED GIECUIT. 



431 



progress. One is quite good-natured^ and comfort- 
ably ^^hoTv came ye so?" Another is raging and 
declaiming as if he were the Emperor of the Moon. 
A third is peaceably sleeping on the sidewalk, with 
his cheek slapped up against a curb-stone — 

" The flies creeping in, and the flies creeping out, 
And sporting his eyes and his nostrils about." 

But here comes a team, superannuated and gaunt, 
and behind, mounted on a pyramid of corn, high 
and dignified, sits an exhorter, or, it may be, a local 
preacher. Our preacher dares not pass the last- 
mentioned case. He has a commission from the 
Church, and reins up, and, descending from his 
high estate, he roots the drunkard over with his 
muddy boot, and says, '^Halloo, here! are you not 
ashamed to be lying here, dead drunk, in open day- 
light?" 

The drunkard drawls out, '^Ashamed enough! 
but you brought me to it!" 

^^How can you make that out?" 

''Why, you carry your corn to the distillery; 
they make the sparkling whisky; I drink, and 
become fuddled; but you are 'the great first cause, 
least understood.' " 

The drunkard rolls back on his curb pillow; the 
preacher drives on, lamenting the wickedness of 
these degenerate days, but scowls defiance at every 
Templar, Son, or Daughter he may meet. 

The preacher in charge says, ''I'll have a big 



432 



THE CROSS. 



meeting; tliat I will/' '^Do so/' say the pious; for, 
as it was of old, so now there are some, even in 
Sardis, who have not defiled their garments. The 
meeting comes on; several are powerfully convicted; 
the big tears course down their cheeks; but still 
they come not. A friend says, ''Try them another 
night; try them once more — only once more;" and 
so from week to week; but they come not. When 
you get their only reason why, it is, ''We can not 
come and be surrounded, and talked to, and prayed 
with, by those who are living, as we believe, in 
mortal sin." The preacher sees that there is a class 
of people around which Methodism can never reach, 
till she washes her hands of this iniquity. He sees 
that he must battle the whole watch with the mon- 
ster. Perhaps one may be ready to say, as Peter, 
"And what shall we have, therefore?" Truly, that 
is a question. Surely, you will have hard times, 
and may have to eat your own horse; but we hope 
that, in the spirit of martyrdom, you will say, "Let 
a hundred horses be devoured; but let the Church 
of God swing free." 

"But," says another, "is there no one to whom 
we can look for help in this age of reformation?" 
You will have to gather instruction from behind 
the reformation. A pious Catholic woman was seen 
weeping on the street. A passenger inquired what 
was the matter. "0, sir," said she, "I have lost 
my crucifix, and now I have nothing to pray to but 
Jesus Christ You must not lean on the outsiders, 



MILFORD CIKCUIT. 



433 



though teriiperate they be. They will look compla- 
cently on, and be highly diverted, like the frontier 
mother who stood in her cabin door and beheld, 
with a smile, her husband engaged in mortal com- 
bat with a huo-e bear. When the hunter had s:ained 

O D 

the victory, with the skin of his teeth, he upbraided 
his wife for not coming down to his rescue, and 
especially for smiling at the blood and sweat he had 
shed. She coolly replied that she had never seen a 
fight before in which she felt so little interest, as it 
regarded who might whip. Funds they have, but 
they must go for ice-cream, and oyster supp^s, and 
picnics, and costly music, so that the inebriates say 
they have only changed the complexion of intem- 
perance, and are like unto a man who boasts highly 
of having quit tobacco chewing, but, nevertheless, 
smokes like a locomotive. 

Brethren, the minister of God has a work to do 
in temperance that none other will or can do. His 
temperance is not only a human virtue, but a 
Christian grace; not only the temperance that 
rejects manifest poison, but temperance in all 
things." He admires and indorses the temperance 
that won Cyrus an empire; but he strikes for that 
temperance at which God has priced the crown in- 
corruptible. Our preachers, however, have much to 
encourage them. 

1. We know some who once traded with the 

distillery who have abandoned it as a loathsome 

thing, and we believe they would suffer martyr- 

37 



434 



THE CEOSS. 



dom before they would be driven back to the 
practice. 

2. Others are in a transit state. When we speak 
to them on the subject, they will smile and say, 
^^Well, in truth, I do not like the business, I have 
thought some about quitting; but I can not see my 
way exactly clear just now, and for the present will 
have to do as I have done." We here bless God, 
and take courage. It requires only a little more 
effort to capsize a cake already half turned, and our 
late President Taylor said, in a similar case, ^^A 
little more grape. Captain Bragg!" 

3. The best is, no Methodist believes in whisky- 
growing. Those who contend for the practice never 
advance one argument that half satisfies themselves. 
The discerning minister always discovers in them 
evident marks of painful conviction, and their whole 
demeanor but forcibly declares, 

" We know the right, but still the wrong pursue." 

''Then," it may be asked, 'Svhy do they do it?" 
We answer. There is a sin that underlies the whole 
transaction — a sin as fatal to the soul as drunken- 
ness — covetousness. All Methodist farmers would 
prefer a clean trade, all things being equal; but the 
offer of two cents more on the bushel, or the paltry 
expense of toll, determines the will, and drives the 
wagon to the still-house; and it is notorious that 
the most wealthy among them are penarious to a 
proverb. They stick to the poll-tax which the 



MILFORD CIECUIT. 



435 



stewards adopt in their estimate; and they seem to 
think that it is the duty of the preacher — be he 
rich or be he poor — to bear one-half of the expenses 
of their wealthy circuits. If they can not come out 
of his pocket they must come out of his horse or 
his hide ; for the doctrine is stereotyped on the cere- 
brum and cerehelhtmj ^'The leaner the hound the 
swifter the chase." 

So we find, without elaborate search, that the 
idolatry of covetousness is the jackal of the still- 
house. When this calm and settled avarice is lashed 
into a tempest by the preaching of temperance, it 
becomes doubly distilled, and threats of starvation 
fall thick and heavy.. True, they sometimes make 
a benevolent effort, when they go through the proc- 
ess of what is called, in those parts, buying up 
the preacher" — a donation call. The preacher may 
be entirely ignorant of the design; but, whether he 
is or not, he will have the extreme mortification, 
when he comes to the footing of his quarterage, to 
find that he has been made to buy up himself, 
besides making presents to his own wife and chil- 
dren of some pretty toys, which smile in contrast 
with the furniture of the parsonage, but which will 
by no means make the pot boil. 

"What is the conclusion? 

1. There is not a shadow of doubt resting on this 
body in regard to the man who stands day by day 
at his bar, dealing out poison and death to his 
neighbors' children, destroying the peace of families, 



436 



THE CEOSS. 



and inciting to desperate deeds, and ofttimes bloody 
murder. He is wicked — his act immoral, 

2. Neither do you entertain a doubt concerning 
the merchant who supplies him, and is accessory; 
for if the first serves Baal a little, he serves him a 
great deal. He is not only a co-worker with that 
retailer, but with a hundred others, so that his 
guilt is out at compound interest. His standing 
partially behind the screen avails nothing. His 
bread and butter depend on the diligence v/ith 
which his customers retail their drams. And in 
the same proportion he lays up gold and silver, he 
treasures up wrath against the day of wrath. His 
trade is immoral, 

3. We need not say you have no doubts about 
the distiller. He has none about himself, and com- 
monly he evinces no desire to rob any evangelical 
Church of livery to serve the devil in. His great- 
est claim on mercy is — he is no hypocrite. Never- 
theless, he is immoral. 

4. The whisky-growing farms are the only avail- 
able arsenals of the vast army of intemperance, and 
the Methodist farmers who cultivate them, make it 
their business to roll the ammunition down to the 
nearest magazine of woe, and on the 23d or 25th 
of November offer thanksgiving to Almighty God 
for the abundant harvest of spiritual grape and 
canister. Now, neither the distiller nor the vend- 
er could carrv on their work of desolation without 
the cultivator. So he has the unenviable distinction 



MILFORD CIECUIT. 



437 



of setting this vast macliinery of insanity and death 
in motion. And if he who putteth the bottle to 
his neighbor's mouth is bending under the curse of 
the Almighty, what must we say of those mischiev- 
ous commissaries who keep that bottle supplied 
with an inexhaustible stream of anguish and ruin? 
True, they plead their own cause; but who does 
not? But their two main points of defense are so 
weak that we can hardly attribute them to the in- 
stigation of the devil. 

1. They say that whisky is made for medical 
purposes. But we answer that no conscientious 
and intelligent physician, in view of the late analy- 
sis of Ohio whisky, would prescribe it even for the 
bots. It is wicked to follow a business that does 
more harm than good to our world. 

2. If every drop of it is made for medical pur- 
poses, still the world would breathe easier in the 
absence of a medicine which alternately saves one 
and kills a thousand. 

3. Allowing all that is claimed, that the still is 
the sovereign specific, the fountain of health and 
immortality — the long-sought spring of Ponce de 
Leon — still this does not enter into the motives of 
our self-deceived brethren; because there is no 
medical benevolence in selling corn for forty cents 
per bushel to the distillery, while people in honest 
trade are giving only thirty-five. The same breth- 
ren clothe the naked every day when they rise, and 
feed the hungry every time they eat. They quote 



438 



THE CROSS. 



often this passage: ''Give strong drink to him who 
is ready to perish;" but neither will this meet their 
case. It is no benevolence in times of scarcity to 
give four gallons of whisky to him who is ready to 
perish with thirsty and by so doing take away a 
bushel of corn from him who is ready to perish 
with hunger. And, besides, they do not give at 
all, but sell at an advanced price. And this is 
their crying sin, that they sell corn to those who 
sell it in whisky, not only to the sober, but to 
those who are truly ready to perish — perhaps the 
finishing dose. 

4. They are concerned about no other medicine. 
If whisky will not cure, the sick may go to — the 
grave. They do not grow rhubarb, poppies, nor even 
lobelia. The other main point is — necessity. What 
shall we do with 'Hhat corn?" ''How shall we 
cultivate our land to profit?" We need not meet 
this defense before a body of men so well acquainted 
with our agricultural prosperity, the high price of 
provisions, and the countless mouths to be fed in 
this country. 

Finally, we feel driven, logically and conscien- 
tiously, to present the following resolutions for the 
consideration of the Conference : 

1. Resolved J That it is irreligious for our mem- 
bers to hold commerce with distilleries, saving such 
as distill exclusively for medical and mechanical 
purposes. 

2. Hesolvedj As a ministerial body, in our place, 



BATAVIA CIEGUIT. 



439 



vre do approve of our ministers preacliing against 
the above evil — it is their duty to do so, 

3. Resolved, We do most affectionately beseech 
the members of our Church not to engage in a 
speculation where the minute good, if any^ is over- 
powered by such stupendous evil, 

BATAVIA CIRCUIT. 

1S60-61. This was our last circuit. The first 
year I labored with brother James H. Herron^ and 
two-thirds of the last year with brother Thomas 
Lee. At the close of the first year my health 
seemed to be getting better, and in all good faith I 
ventured on another appointment; but my com- 
plaint increased in violence, till I saw I would have 
to surrender. My external appearance was healthy, 
and I kept my suffering to myself, and forced 
myself through all kinds of weather and roads to 
my appointments, till the third quarterly meeting- 
conference, when I made a statement of my peculiar 
affliction, and requested the presiding elder to grant 
me a dispensation. The brethren generally sympa- 
thized with me, and treated me in a Christian and 
genteel manner. I could say much good of this 
circuit, but find my work has been swelling beyond 
what I contemplated. At the Conference I asked for 
a superannuated relation, and my brethren granted 
it with all that affectionate and Christian spirit that 
has always distinguished them. 

I saw that I could not continue and do my duty 



440 



THE CEOSS. 



without prematurely destroying myself; that there 
were strong and healthy men anxious to enter the 
field, and that it was altogether right that I should 
superannuate. And seeing it was my duty, what else 
remained to me but to march? And may the Lord 
so prepare my soul by grace and judgment that 
when I see my pathway clear, to march, even when 
it must be to the air of Koslin Castle! 



MISCELLANEOUS WOEK. 



441 



XXXV. 

MISCELLANEOUS WORK. 

As we have been in the habit of corresponding 
with public papers and periodicals, it may be ex- 
pected that we will say something on this subject. 
We commenced very early in life. 'Bating our first 
attempts^ known only to ourself — highly approved 
to-day and utterly condemned to-morrow — our first 
adventure, of course in poetry, was an answer to 
my oldest sister's address to the Petersburg volun- 
teers before their departure. We can not remember 
one line of that heroic efi'ort, and we would not 
attempt to rouse it up from its sweet and long 
oblivion. 

After moving to New Orleans I assisted my 
brother some in a lively, and, among the American 
population, a popular paper. After entering the 
traveling connection, I wrote occasionally for the 
Advocate. When the Ladies' Eepository was start- 
ed, it seems that our great men did not give it that 
help which might have been expected from them. 
Bishop Hamline had a hard work on hand, but he 
was sufficient. At no subsequent period has that 
periodical been more in accordance with the taste 



442 



THE CEOSS. 



of our membersliip^ althougli some of the most ac- 
complished of our ministry have directed it. We 
continued our help, such as it was, under succeed- 
ing editors, till their correspondence has swelled 
beyond their disposal. We have written also for 
papers of a political cast; and the most part of the 
Western Pilot is original — professedly or not. We 
might fill a large volume with these occasional 
productions, but this would be foreign to our work; 
and being closely allied to the passing events of the 
time, their chief interest would now find no place. 
We will, however, close with a sample of this part 
of our labor. 

THERE IS SURELY BUT ONE STEP BETWEEN 
EARTH AND HEAVEN. 

While seated in my study, my mind adverted to 
Mrs. Sarah Edwards, the accomplished consort of 
President Jonathan Edwards, and the daughter of 
James Pierpont, an eminent and useful minister 
of New Haven. It is said, she was a young lady 
of uncommon beauty — a beauty which was rendered 
unrivaled by that rare loveliness of expression 
which is the result of a combination of intelligence, 
cheerfulness, and benevolence. She possessed an 
unusual share of natural talent, highly improved 
by a liberal and polished education. She was gentle 
and polite, and all her conduct and conversation 
were under the government of Christian charity. 
She was one of those distinguished flowers which, 



MISCELLANEOUS WORK. 



443 



consecrated to God in the bud, prove no vain sacri- 
fice. It is said she in a remarkable manner exhib- 
ited the life and power of religion when only five 
years of age. This early piety grew with her 
growth, and strengthened with her strength. Her 
uncommon devotion to God arrested the attention 
of Mr. Edwards several years before their union, 
and he recorded the following testimony of her 
worth: ^'They say there is a young lady in New 
Haven, who is beloved of the great Being who 
made and governs the world; and that there are 
certain seasons in which this great Being, in some 
way or other, comes invisibly to her, and fills her 
mind with exceeding sweet delight, and that she 
hardly cares for any thing except to meditate on 
him; that she expects after a little while to be 
caught up to heaven, being assured that he loves 
her too well to let her remain at a distance from 
him always. There she is to dwell with him, and 
to be ravished with his love and delight forever. 
Therefore, if you present all the world before her, 
with the richest of its treasures, she disregards it, 
and is unmindful of any pain or afiliction. She has 
a strange sweetness in her mind, and singular purity 
in her afiections; is most just and conscientious in 
all her conduct, and you could not persuade her to 
any thing wrong or sinful if you would give her all 
the world, lest she should off'end this great Being. 
She is of a wonderful sweetness, calmness, and uni- 
versal benevolence of mind^ especially after this 



444 



THE CEOSS. 



great God has manifested himself to her mind. She 
will sometimes go about from place to place, singing 
sweetly, and seems to be always full of joy and 
pleasure, and no one knows for what. She loves to 
be alone, walking in the fields and groves, and 
seems to have some invisible being conversing with 
her." Perhaps there never was a more congenial 
couple than Edwards and his guileless partner — 
such a duplicate as Thomson would have called a 
matchless pair," the only shadow of difierence 
this — 

" Hers the mild luster of the blooming morn, 
And his the radiance of the rising day.^' 

Mrs. Edwards was a judicious and faithful mis- 
tress of a family. She was not only alive to the 
domestic duties that naturally fall into the province 
of the female, but, as her husband was sometimes 
pressed beyond measure in his ministerial work, she 
relieved him much of those perplexing and outdoor 
concerns which commonly belong to paternal super- 
vision. This shows the superiority of her mind, for 
she was not drilled to it. by Eastern usages. She 
also saw that, in the multitudinous business of her 
husband, he might have to lament in the end, ^^I 
have kept the vineyard of others, but my own vine- 
yard I have not kept;" so she took, in a great 
measure, the religious education of the children on 
herself. She did not, like some mothers, wait till 
her children should get more sense before she would 
attend to their best interest. She was like that ma- 



MISCELLANEOUS WORK. 



445 



tron saint who, when she awakened her children in 
the morning, implored God that they might, in early- 
life, awake to righteousness, and sin not;" when ^ 
she washed their bodies, she prayed that God might 
wash their souls in the laver of regeneration; when 
she dressed them, she prayed that they might be 
found in the wedding garment at the coming of the 
Lord; and when she gave them the breast, she 
called on God, with strong cries and tears, that she 
might not nourish and raise a child for the devil. 
But Mrs. Edwards did not stop here. She helped 
much her husband in his ministerial work. She 
was eminently qualified to do this. Her conversa- 
tion was in heaven. It was not conversation about 
religion, about its doctrines, its truths, its duties — 
her conversation was religion itself, the very heaven 
of love. She encouraged and promoted female meet- 
ings, and was prompt to take up her cross at every 
call. There was no gloom in her theology. Her 
religion was the religion of joy in the Holy Ghost. 
It is perfectly overwhelming to read some of her 
spiritual enjoyments left on record. On one occa- 
sion she writes: ^'At the same time my heart and 
soul all flowed out in love to Christ, so that there 
seemed to be a constant flowing and reflowing of 
heavenly love from Christ's heart to mine, and I 
appeared to myself to float and swim in those bright, 
sweet beams of the love of Christ, like the motes 
swimming in the beams of the sun, or streams of 
light which came in at the windows. My soul re- 



446 



THE CROSS. 



mained in a kind of heavenly elysium. So far as I 
am capable of making a comparison^ I think that 
^ what I felt each minute^ during the continuance of 
the whole time^ was worth more than all the out- 
ward joy and comfort which I had experienced in 
my whole life put together.'' At another time, she 
writes: ^^So intense were my feelings, when speak- 
ing of these things, that I could not forbear rising 
up, and leaping with joy and exultation. I felt, at 
the same time, an exceeding strong and tender affec- 
tion for the children of God, and realized, in a man- 
ner exceedingly sweet and ravishing, the meaning 
of Christ's prayer, 'That they all may be one, as 
thou. Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they 
also may be one in us.' This union seemed to me 
an inconceivable, excellent, and sweet oneness; and, 
at the same time, I felt that oneness in my soul 
with the children of God. A hymn was sung, but 
when these words were read, 

' My sighs at length are turned to songs, 
The Comforter is come,' 

SO conscious was I of the joyful presence of the 
Holy Spirit, I could scarcely refrain from leaping 
with transports of joy." 

Here my mind wandered from this pattern-mis- 
tress of a parsonage to the sisters Fletcher and 
Rogers, and a number of holy women on this side 
of the sea, embraced in my own memory; and all 
these were singularly fond of the comm.union of 
saints — an interchange of religious views and ex- 



MISCELLA^'EOUS WOEK. 



M7 



perience. Then it struck me, may not an exercise, 
so dear to the saints in all ages on earth, even 
enter into the inexplicable promise, ''the joys of thy 
LordT' Then I exclaimed, '"'Surely, there is but 
one step between earth and heaven I" 

Then one of those reveries which sometimes take 
possession of my mind came over me, and me- 
thought my soul soared aloft beyond the bounds of 
time and sense — yea, was permitted to behold in 
the unfading groves of paradise the blood-washed 
throng. As the last lovely melody of celestial 
music died away on the air, a spirit of unearthlv 
beauty arose, and in a voice far beyond the stretch 
of mortal tune, addressed the mute and listenino; 
multitudes. 

Xathaxael. — Brethren beloved, I stand before 
this congregated election, as a peculiar case of happy 
and facile transfer from the economv of Mount Zion, 
into all the blessings of the new and everlasting 
covenant. Born and raised an Israelite, I was zeal- 
ous of the law, the sacrifices, and the traditions of 
the fathers. They were weighty and imposing, and 
even in the deadness of the letter were transcend- 
ently superior to the vain and empty shows, and 
indecent and lascivious sacrifices and ofierinc-s of 
the idolatrous Gentiles. Moreover, I discovered, 
from time to time, that beyond the outward exhibi- 
tion of our mysteries and rights, there was a deep- 
ly-hidden spirituality that I could but partially 
apprehend. This drew my soul out in frequent and 



448 



THE CEOSS. 



fervent prayer and meditation, especially as in that 
day it was thouglit that the time of the promise 
drew nigh. Sometimes I experienced what I be- 
lieved to be signal manifestations of Divine power. 
On a certain occasion, while deeply engaged under 
a tree, I was suddenly overwhelmed by an unearthly 
influence. It seemed as if celestial spirits were hov- 
ering all around me, and as if the Divine arms were 
underneath and round about me, and something 
seemed to whisper, ^ Hold up thy head, thy redemp- 
tion draweth nigh.' Soon after this I met with 
Philip of Bethsaida, and he said unto me, 'We have 
found him of whom Moses in the law, and the 
prophets, did write.' A bare allusion to our much- 
loved and long looked-for Messiah, struck a cord 
which vibrated through soul and body; but when 
he added, 'Jesus of Xazareth,' my spirit sunk with- 
in me, and I said rather petulantly, 'Can any good 
thing come out of Isazareth?' His answer, thous:h 
short, was indicative of strong confidence, 'Come 
and see.' It, moreover, struck with force a princi- 
ple established within me; one that was afterward 
so often insisted on hj our beloved brother Paul — 
'Prove all things and hold fast to that which is 
good.' How forcible are right words! And when 
I saw the Savior, his exterior mien and Godlike 
carriasie struck me with solemn but delio:htful awe. 
His first salutation was, 'Behold an Israelite, in- 
deed, in whom there is no guile!' Here I felt 
thrown into a very delicate difficulty. I might 



MISCELLAXEOUS 



W 0 E K . 



449 



have used a little volimtary liumility^ in denying 
the allegation; but I could not do so without deny- 
ing and departing from my true character; for^ 
through the mercy of the God of Abraham^ and a 
conflict of faith and prayer, I had gotten the vic- 
tory over all guile and hypocrisy, and had often 
sung with growing delight, ^Blessed is the man to 
whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity ; and in whose 
spirit there is no guile.' So I stood up in my integ- 
rity, like J ob, and answered, ^ How knoweth thou 
me T But when he said, ^ Before Philip called thee, 
when thou wast under the fio:-tree, I saw thee/ mv 
very soul appeared to melt down into wonder, love, 
and praise. For I knew that no mortal eye had 
witnessed what had there transpired between God 
and my poor soul under that shade — the blessed 
fig-tree; and I immediately exclaimed, ^ Eabbi, 
Rabbi ! thou art the Son of God ; thou art the 
King of Israel!' In that hour I began to compre- 
hend the mystery, hid from the foundation of the 
world. All my prejudices, and views, and senti- 
ments which were not of God's right-hand planting 
began to wither and die, and I sweetly, and gradu- 
ally entered into the new and heavenly Jerusalem. 
What was commenced, through the faith in a coming 
Messiah, was consummated in the powerful out- 
pouring of the day of Pentecost — a day to be held 
in remembrance through the countless cycles of an 
endless immortality. Brethren, I have had my 

warfare, and my aflB.ictions, which were common to 

38 



450 



THE CEOSS. 



the Churcli of the First-Born; and, 0, my last bit- 
ter conflict! But they are all left on the other 
side of the river. They are as though they had 
not been — while my soul swims in a sea of glory, 
with God eternally shut in. Halleluiah to God, for 
this heaven of love — this continuity of bliss!" 

Here, as this Christian patriarch ceased, a glow 
of holy sympathy lighted up the innumerable host, 
and the orchestra of heaven struck a peal for which 
the laws of mortal interlocution have made no pro- 
vision. Then one, who appeared to be as great a 
favorite in heaven as he had been among the saints 
on earth, rose to address the happy assemblage. 

Simon Peter. — '^Holy and beloved, the saluta- 
tion of our Lord to Nathanael was the highest en- 
comium ever conferred on man in his mortal state. 
As it regards myself, in my unregenerated state, 
ambition was m^y shrine. I gloried in being a son 
of Abraham, and was zealous of the law. There 
was nothing, however chivalrous or grand, that 
was predicted of the coming Messiah as a mighty 
conqueror and martial leader, which was too glowing 
for my ambitious spirit. Believing in J esus of Naza- 
reth, I at first attached myself to his interests, in the 
full conviction that it was he who would restore the 
kingdom to Israel. Strange it was, that this con- 
viction should abide after I had well marked his 
humility of spirit, his benevolent bearing, and his 
extreme deadness to the honors of the world and 
the pride of life! I honestly aspired after power 



MISCELLANEOUS TTOEK. 



451 



and distinction under his administration. However, 
above all these selfish breathings of my soul, there 
arose an undying attachment to the Savior. I 
counted not my life dear in the defense of his per- 
son and his claims. And on that aAvful night, 
when he predicted that he would be forsaken of all 
before the morning-light, I thought this could not, 
and should not be; and you remember with what 
vehemence I exclaimed, ^Though all men forsake 
you, yet will not I.' This I believed, because I 
knew that I had animal courage enough to carry it 
out, even unto death. And I was right glad when 
he inquired if we had swords. From the purpose 
of dying for him that night, if necessary, I did not 
weaver for a moment — no, not even wdien the mob 
approached, for then I drew my sword and made 
my charge. But w^hen I saw the immaculate Jesus 
calmly extend his arm of power and close the wound 
my blade had made; when he said, ^Put up thy 
sword; for he who takes the sword shall perish by 
the sword;' when I saw^ that his kingdom was to 
be established in rio'hteousness, and not Avith the 
shout of the warrior and garments stained with 
blood; when I saw that it was moral power and 
sufi'ering by which he Avas to conquer, my heart 
seemed to die wuthin me — and I shamefully fled. 
Still I could not give him up; all my interest 
appeared to center in the mysterious sufferer. I 
turned, and followed at a distance, and at last en- 
tered into the judgment-hall. But 0, what unnat- 



462 



THE CKOSS. 



ural tremors coursed along my nerves! and when I 
was challenged as a follower of Christ — challenged^ 
brethren, by a maid-servant — I denied my best, my 
greatest friend. And when they seemed resolved to 
fasten the charge upon me, and I found that the 
mild language that Jesus had taught me was likely 
to betray me — 0, shame on my guilty cowardice! — 
I cursed and swore most infamously. Just then the 
cock's shrill clarion pierced through my soul. I 
looked toward the bar at the silent Lamb, and his 
eyes of reproof, swimming in tears of compassion, 
rested on me; and well might it be said I went out 
and wept bitterly, 0, the days of indescribable an- 
guish — almost of despair — that I suffered till the 
morning of the resurrection! Still I loved the 
Lord, and I could not abandon the assembly of his 
saints. Strange, that they bore with the back- 
slider I I was permitted to mingle my tears v/ith 
his sorrowing disciples. The spirit had almost failed 
before the God that made it, when, on the glorious 
morning of the third day, certain sisters broke in upon 
our conference, exclaiming, with unbridled joy, 'The 
Lord has risen from the dead ! We have seen, we 
have heard him — he has spoken to us ; and we have 
a message from the Lord to you, 0 brethren ! He 
sent us to say to Peter and the brethren, Behold! 
I go before you into Gralilee.'" '0, not to me! 
Did he say Peter?' 'Yes, Simon; he not only 
mentioned theCj but mentioned first: '''Go and 
tell Peter and the brethren," were the words of our 



MISCELLANEOUS WOEK. 



453 



risen Jesus/ 0, what unspeakable joy sprung up 
in my soul I And I said in my hearty ^ Blessed be 
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christy who 
has begotten us again unto a lively hope to an in- 
heritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that 
fadeth not away.' But my joy and peace were in- 
creased in our interview on the sea-shore, where he 
renewed my commission as often as I had denied 
him on that horrible night. 'Feed my sheep.' On 
the day of Pentecost a full consecration was sealed 
on my soul; and, feeling that I was under greater 
obligation to speak well of the Lord than others, 
because in me much had been forgiven, I sprang to 
my feet. 0, what light then shone on my soul! 
The plan of salvation stood before me in all its un- 
folded splendor. I saw that the Gospel was not in- 
tended merely to free us from the Pioman yoke ; but 
I saw — yea, felt — that it delivered us out of the 
hands of all our enemies, that we might walk be- 
fore God in righteousness and in holiness all the 
days of ouj lives. 

''Through many trials and much tribulation I 
have reached the bright goal. And now let my pre- 
tended successors below boast about Piome and the 
patrimony of St. Peter ! What Avas my patrimony on 
earth but a broken net, and a shattered bark, and 
a daily death? Here is the patrimony that fadeth 
not away; and the idea that it is not for me only, 
but for all the blood-washed saints, enhances its 
worth and highly sharpens my relish. Yes, it 



454 



THE CKOSS. 



fadetli not away ! The roses of heaven will blush a 
deeper red; the lilies will shed a more dazzling 
white, while eternal ages are onward rolling — 'it 
fadeth not away!' AUeluiah!" 

Saul of Taesus. — '^I once said I was the chief 
of sinners. Some of our more m^odern friends on 
earth have since gone to extensive pains to soften 
or whitewash that sentence. They have said that 
Paul felt as all young converts feel, who knowing 
the sore of their own hearts, and being ignorant of 
the secret convictions of others, are disposed to 
write hard things against themselves. Little do 
they know of the divine impulse under which we 
wrote and spoke. The storms of life all over and 
heaven gained, I am not disposed to retract a single 
word. Sin draws the shades of its complexion from 
the circumstances attending its commission. There 
might have been those in my day, who might have 
been guilty of sins which Saul of Tarsus even 
would have shuddered at; but they had not Saul's 
culture, Saul's education, Saul's opportunities. I 
was well-read in the sacred writings and the com- 
mentaries of the most approved Eabbis; but I car- 
ried with me all the time the most unmistakable 
mark of the beast of hell— the spirit of persecution. 
Bigotry congealed all the kindly streams of human 
nature. I pursued even tender females in my 
wrath, and I persecuted the Church of God beyond 
measure. It is well for me that remorse can not 
enter heaven; that tears can not stain the golden 



MISCELLANEOUS WOEK. 



455 



streets of the New Jerusalem. Some men's sins 
go before them to judgment; the sins of some 
follow after. The day of retribution came. At 
the gates of Lystra the cup of trembling was 
pressed to my lips. I drank the bitterness of 
Stephen's martyrdom, with the heavy interest of the 
anguish of resuscitation ^ which Stephen never felt. 
I, too, was persecuted, buffeted, whipped, impris- 
oned, and shipwrecked ; but I gloried in my afflic- 
tions, because I saw the retributive justice of God, 
and because I knew that they would work out for 
me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
glory. Well do I remember the throes of the 
new birth through which I passed on my way to 
Damascus. While breathing out threatening and 
slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, the 
power of God arrested me. ^Saul, Saul, Avhy 
persecutest thou me?' And I said, ^Who art 
thou. Lord?' I knew that I had persecuted 
much and rather indiscriminately, and began to 
suspect that in the heat of my zeal I had torn up 
some wheat with the tares; and my inquiry was, in 
what instance, in ivhose case I had offended the 
Lord. But, 0 ! how was my whole soul dismayed 
when I heard that hated name — ^ Jesus ' of Xaza- 
reth! I saw my whole work condemned, and my- 
self involved in black despair. For three days I 
ate no pleasant bread and drank no reviving cor- 
dial. All was midnight darkness. Then I be- 
thought me of the means of grace, and kneeled 



466 



THE CKOSS. 



before the Lord. Hope sprang into my soul, and I 
began to look for deliverance.- While sitting in 
darkness and in the shadow of death, the door was 
opened; Ananias, one of the persecuted, stood before 
me. He might have said, ^0, thou proud and 
haughty persecutor of my brethren and sisters in 
the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, has my 
Grod humbled thee at last?' But no; he gently ap- 
proached, laid his hand upon my head and said, 
'Saul — brother Saul, the Lord — even Jesus who ap- 
peared unto thee in the way — hath sent me that 
thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with 
the Holy Ghost.' The scales fell from my eyes, and 
blindness from my mind, I saw light in God's light, 
and praised him from a feeling sense of his pardon- 
ing love. And having obtained help of God, I per- 
severed in the way — enduring the cross, despising 
the shame, and am now exalted to the kingdom on 
high. And now the greatest boast I make in heav- 
en's courts is this — sinner saved by graeef 

Here, again, I exclaimed, '^Surely, there is but 
one step between earth and heaven!" But a voice 
within said, ''Yes; but in that step what trials 
'in number^ measure, weight,' may come! In that 
mysterious tread, temptations, sorrows, bereave- 
ments, sometimes shake the elect to his solid 
foundation." 



71 



THE END 




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